Time to get away

With Christmas behind us and a new year ahead, it's an excellent time to escape the ordinary. Blaze a new trail. Start fresh. Choose a cliche and run with it....

You could plan a weekend get away in your own hometown. Pick a hotel with a pool or a spa or a fabulous restaurant and plan to spend the night.  Just the change of scenery and getting away from the housework or the phone, or the computer can be a refreshing change.

What about hopping on a plane and taking advantage of a last minute bargain?  Florida is outrageously cheap this time of year. A week in the sunny state could cost as little as $500 air, taxes and hotel included.  Then again, there are many caribbean and mexican destinations that could spoil you for around that $1000 mark.

Try something new. Santa brought me some boxing gloves. Seems to me a great way to work out some frustrations and try something new. Unless of course, Santa was making a deliberate pun with these gloves and Boxing day? In which case, I totally missed the joke.

Escaping can be as simple as some new music on your iPod and taking a walk through your own neighbourhood. Or going out to a movie. Any distraction that gets your mind off your routine can be a refreshing break.

Getting away doesn't have to be a vacation. I just like it better when it IS!

Our Christmas Puppy

We found our dog Oreo, many years ago, on January 8th. She was abandoned on a busy downtown street with gum in her fur and looked quite a mess. We took her to the vet, called radio stations and tried to return her to her owners.

The kindly vet let us know that abandoned Christmas puppies were not uncommon. This dog, who was probably ten weeks old when we found her, was likely exactly that... someone's discarded Christmas gift. Puppies, though adorable, are a lot of work and expense. Often they are not a gift, but a burden to the recipient.

We toughed it out at our house with this crying, chewing, black and white puppy for a couple nights, but were absolutely relieved when no one ever called to claim the dog. So, she was ours. We named her Oreo and have never looked back.

Almost a full year later, we began to decorate the house for Christmas and put up a tree. This sent Oreo into a crazy panic. She peed on the floor, cried and whined and was just beside herself. That was all the evidence we needed, the vet was right, she HAD to have been a Christmas puppy.  So, the tree came down just as fast as it went up and we did what we could to minimize her distress.

As years passed, she got more and more used to Christmas, though she is always noticeably anxious. Every year, I look into her old "puppy" eyes and tell her that we love her and are not going to throw her away with the Christmas tree. I reminder her of all the years we've been together and that she has a permanent home. She likes Christmas with the kids. She's right in the middle of things when it's time to open gifts. But she just doesn't seem to let her guard down.

I can definitely say her favourite part of Christmas is the shortbread cookies I bake. There is nothing else that she gets assertive over. (I can't say aggressive. She's the most passive dog ever.) But she will literally jump up into your lap and use her paw on your arm to stop you from eating a shortbread cookie. Then she will snatch it from your hand and be gone.  Gingerbread, chocolate chip.... she could care less. But shortbread, she will leap and snatch. She loves them! She just goes crazy wagging her tail when she's eating a shortbread cookie.

Fast forward to this year. We put up the tree last week and for the first time ever, she lay down on the tree skirt and had a nap. I could hardly believe my eyes. After all these years she's decided she's comfortable and secure enough to lie under the tree. Wow. Old dogs... you just never know.

Mom, "It's a life skill"

"It's not just Christmas shopping, Mom, it's a life skill," says my son as we drive home from a successful evening of shopping together.

Wow. I'm just blown away by his maturity and this "ah ha moment." And more than that, for him to realize this and actually articulate it to me. Again, wow.  I've always known he was a mature kid, wise beyond his 9 years, but still I am impressed enough to share this treasured moment.

The shopping event was pretty straight forward. We had planned to go in the evening, once the mall had quieted for the day. I gave him a very specific, and suitable, amount of money. My only instructions were that he had to buy all the gifts for family and friends with that money, no more. He needed to have a list of people, and at least an idea or two of the the gifts he was after for each person. If there was less than $10 left over he could keep it. (If more than $10 he would have to go back for more gifts.)

He knew what stores he wanted to go to and had a general idea of what he was after. Once at the mall, he quickly realized what options were realistic on his budget and what types of things were available and looked good.  He liked the sales and was always calculating out loud. His math skills are quite good. I didn't have to step in there at all.  He even used the automated check stand at one store!

He bought items for his brother, parents and grandparents, six gifts in total. The most money he spent was on his brother, and I think, the most thought as well. (Hooray!!  I'm a proud mom. ) He really likes the gifts he chose. He's excited for Christmas so he can show off his choices.

We were done in under two hours, with little or no stress at all. He was really proud of himself and we had a lively chat all the way home. That's when he told me a bit about what he's learning in school, and what he learned from me this evening.

I am so blessed.

Looking back on 2011

Each year is different. I used to summarize each year in a photo collage of eight or ten pictures and put it in one frame and hang it on the wall. Then for a few years I made gifts of photo calendars for family members. Now, I don't know. Life seems to change by the week. Is it the way we receive our news, our information or the absolute constant contact we have with our friends?

You need an answer? Google it. Want to know what someone had for lunch? Text them. Want to know if your neighbour is at the coffee shop down the street? Facebook it. 

So, does this mean we've stopped thinking and acting in months? Is a year a ridiculous length of time to look back on?  I wonder. And I wonder while I type... obviously. 

My computer is jam packed with photos taken over the last 12 months. Lucky for me the computer has an organizing system and it makes it really easy to take a visual look down memory lane. But, I think all that we do in a year could not ever be summarized by 8 or 12 photos. Things have gotten too fast, too easy to record and sadly... too easy to forget in a blink. 

But to reflect on this past year, I would focus on the great trips and great hockey moments.

2011 started off in Maui!  Best New Year's eve of my life! We were oceanside, at the luxurious Marriott Wailea resort. I slipped the host a $20 and we were seated right in front of the stage for the incredible show. The dancers and musicians were everything you wanted them to be. The sunset and meal were so beautiful and delicious. We had a lively visit with our table mates and even though our homes were thousands of miles apart, we found great things in common to talk about. 

In that inspired New Years moment, I vowed to take more trips, to better stay in touch with friends and most of all, relax and enjoy the moment. 

In April I took a very spontaneous trip with my brother. We flew to Tampa Florida to see a hockey game. We planned it on 6 days notice and were away from home less than 72 hours, but it was one of the best times I've ever had. And even though my team lost and my brother has only vague recollections of conversations "I claim" he had with strangers, I'm pretty sure he remembers it fondly as well. 

Another highlight came in May when a friend breezed through playoffs and had his hockey dreams come true when he won the Memorial Cup. Even watching that on TV, it was powerful and special. 

Then after 15 years, the NHL agreed to give Winnipeg an NHL franchise again and the Jets were re-born. It was incredible! The city and province and hockey fans all over Canada rejoiced. Manitoba got its mojo back thanks to True North Sports & Entertainment.   Grown men cried. Others danced in the street.  I did both.  

This Jets announcement also made dreams come true for two good friends who work in radio.  Knowing how much the return of the Jets would mean to them made me sooooo happy. Hearing them speak to audiences that share their passion for hockey... priceless. 

In August, my own kids won their hockey summer league championship. The best part of that was the boys were on the same team. As teammates they worked together and celebrated together. This was a family first. I hope it's not the last time. And it was quite the game. It really was exciting little league stuff. My goalie son was named "MVP" but he declared it an honour he shared with the team's best defenseman.... his little brother. Awwww. I still melt remembering that moment. 

In October, I took another trip. Big surprise... it was to see a hockey game. This time in Phoenix Arizona.  Again, definitely one of the best weekends of my life. This time, my brother and I travelled with a group of friends. Honestly, it was near perfect! The sun was out, the drinks were cold, and the party carried over into the streets. The camaraderie among Jets fans, and the laughs we had were incredible. 

The year has had, as all years do, ups and downs. But as families we get through them. Friends hold each other up in good times and in bad. The calendar keeps going. And we find things to cheer about. We all NEED to find things to cheer about... each and every year. Life is too precious not to celebrate.

Damn it's been a good year for hockey in my house.  Go Jets Go! 

In the moment

I took my son to his first NHL game this past weekend. He's a little league hockey player himself and probably spends at least 8 hours a week on the ice. For this reason, and that hockey is a huge part of our daily lives, I seemed to overlook that the NHL game would be a big deal to him.

Our NHL city arena is located downtown. That in itself provides new "experiences" for a rural person.  Parking and chaos and ambience aside, my son was obviously feeling a new level of anticipation. Something VERY exciting was about to happen.

Once inside the arena and faced with thousands of exuberant fans, he realized the dream was reality. We found our seats and he saw the ice surface and the glamour of the building and threw his arms around me. "Mom, this is the best day ever!."

Who knew? No, really, who knew?   I have been very wrapped up in my adult life and extremely concerned for the health of my own mother, so this burst of joy was really good for both of us.

When the game started and the chants began, we lost ourselves in the moment. We got behind our team (as we always do!) and enjoyed the game for what it was.

During intermission I ran into an old buddy, another big time hockey fan.  I was so happy to see him. Really and truly thrilled to see him. It was one of the highlights of the night for me for sure.

Our team did well. They battled hard, kept penalties to a minimum and never gave up. Ah, if we could all live every day like that!

My son got the full experience of the game. We did the wave, bought some popcorn and split an over-priced coke. We hi-fived our seat neighbours when we scored and celebrated raucously.  We even picked up a souvenir at the gift shop. Oh yeah, and our team won 4-2.

All and all, it was a great night. I hope he will remember his first NHL game. And for me, I got to see things from a kid's perspective for a little while and forget all my adult worries. That was good. Even if it was just for a couple hours.

Uncle.

Yep, I give. I've had enough. Please stop.

I'm strong, independent, reliable and a good friend. But a lot has happened in the last two weeks. Heck, you could even label it the worst two weeks of my life. But I'm still here.

Kenny Chesney sings a song, where the lyrics go "the fact that I'm still breathing means that I must have survived."  Well, he's singing about a party.... an awesome party at that, and I am surely NOT, however, I somehow feel I can kinda relate.

One family tragedy, after another. Plus somehow my super-secure "chip card" gets hijacked without ever leaving my possession. Neat. Just one more great thing to deal with. 'sigh'

I guess it's times like these you figure out who your friends are, and aren't.

There's really no message and no moral in this blog/rant.  Simply an appeal to the higher powers. It's time to cut me a break. I'll dust myself off and keep going, but I could use a hand.

Why I'm a Disney Girl

I like Disney. I've taken a Disney Cruise and I've been to Walt Disney World. In fact, Disneyland in California is on my to-do list for late 2012. (They're opening a new Cars themed park area there.) But I'm no princess.

I'm certainly no Cinderella. Though we have the work ethic in common... LOL, I haven't been to a ball in ages. I don't have any really special shoes and I don't have any mean step-sisters.

Belle, is my 6 year-old's favourite princess. She's lovely in that yellow dress (and I look terrible in yellow), but we've never even seen Beauty and the Beast, so I can't be Belle.

Sleeping Beauty... nope. I get five or six hours sleep a night. I'm more likely to be steam-rolled or woken by a crying child or a barking dog than a kiss.

Jasmine. Hmm, I really don't know much about her but I've never worn mid-riff shirts or been on a magic carpet. I just can't relate.

Snow White is considered one of the original princesses. She is worshipped by the seven dwarfs, so that's pretty nice for her. They seem to look out for her. It is one of my favourite movies and I can whistle while I work, so there are some similarities. I have won trivia contests by naming the seven dwarfs.... Sleepy, Happy, Grumpy, Dopey, Sneezy, Bashful and Doc... and I DO wear a Grumpy t-shirt to bed, but still no. I'm no Snow White.

There are some "new princesses" or wannabes, but I don't count them. Tiana? Rapunzel? Those movies are still too new to be classics or universally known.

Why do I love Disney? As an organization they prove there is still magic. So many things are instant, and "good enough" and generic and discount now-a-days, but Disney is still first class. They hold themselves to a higher standard. They endeavour to put a smile on every child and every adult's face. They make movies you can take your kids to. Movies like Cars, that I could see over and over and over with my kids and still enjoy.

Disney is preserving that little bit of 'kid' in all of us. Yes, their marketing, their merchandising, their parks and their offerings are scientific. They have studied the consumer and refined their organization to deliver what we expect and when we expect it, but with a dash of magic.

I will not forget how my kids absolutely lit up to see Chip and Dale characters in the park. The smiles were pure and genuine.  On every corner there were characters the kids recognized and wanted to meet. They were always greeted with open arms and animated joy.  My kids loved the characters. Genuinely loved it.

For me, the magic touched my heart when I stood on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom and saw THE CASTLE for the first time in real life. There it was, the castle from every Sunday night at 6PM on TV. I grew up on Disney movies on Sunday nights after dinner. If our family had a tradition, that was it.

I stood in awe of the castle, its iconic form, in 3D just as it was in 2D at the beginning of every Disney feature. It brought tears to my eyes. I never saw it in person or visited a Disney Park as a child, but was absolutely moved and satisfied to be able to bring my own children to the place I'd dreamt about. Even as an adult seeing the castle, just the castle, moved me and stirred happy emotions.

Disney represents quality to me. It represents dreams and it represents magic. Corny as some of it is, as predictable as their movies can be, it sets the standard and has spanned generations. And while I am surely no princess, I am a fan and will continue to enjoy each and every Disney moment I can share with my kids. Disney has the magic I just can't create on my own.

Winter ready

I may never truly be ready for the harsh winter blast of reality, but at least my vehicle will be. Though there's no snow on the ground, there really is no time like the present to get the car fixed up and stocked with the right supplies.

I made a trip to the dealership today for winter oil, transmission fluid and even winter windshield wiper fluid. Nobody needs the grief of having their windshield wiper fluid freeze solid and crack the reservoir. That's unnecessary and costly.

While getting your oil change, make sure to have your tires evaluated. Are they the right tires for the conditions? Is there sufficient tread? Are they properly inflated?

Every young driver I know personally has had to suffer through my "don't buy cheap tires" speech. I think it's self-explanatory... discount tires or summer performance tires just may mean your life on icy winter roads. It may not be the most exciting speech, but I do feel strongly about tires. Buy the right tires!!

Winter safety kits should include a cell phone charger, a blanket, flares, bottled water, gloves, toque, matches, an empty can, and something to eat. Try to stay away from the "emergency" chocolate bar in the car. Seems I have to replace those weekly... somebody in my life is always having a chocolate emergency!  It's also a great idea to have a shovel and some (ugly) winter boots. Why ugly? They are generally warm and if someone sees you wearing them on the side of the road and waving, they should instantly recognize, by your ugly boots, that you need help.  Even if the only thing they do is drive you to a shopping mall to buy nicer boots, you'll be safe and warm. You can even call a tow truck from a mall.

If you live on the Canadian prairies I would strongly recommend heated car seats. In winter, you must protect your assets. I also can't live without Starbucks. If I didn't have Starbucks and heated seats I probably would not live through a Canadian prairie winter. I AM that sucky. However... my vehicle is good and ready. But that being said.... winter can take it's sweet time getting here. No rush. Seriously.

I want to remember

There are people that pass through your life. Some are here for a short while, others remain close for decades and others still, share a lifetime, if you're lucky. There are wonderful moments and vignettes that stay with you even after a person has moved or left your life for whatever reason.

I randomly remember birthdays of childhood friends. I remember eating blue "daquiri ice" sorbet at the Baskin Robbins at the shopping mall before I worked there.  I remember being so exhausted from working 16 straight hours (2 jobs) that I fell asleep at the Def Leppard concert.  And I remember impulsively buying a little bunny from Petland and naming him Gizmo.

I remember throwing an apple core up to the sky as Val and I drove to Grand Beach in my convertible. I remember how that felt... being without a roof and being young.  Having nothing but blue sky above us was an awesome feeling.  Val and I had other adventures in that convertible. We discovered you really can drive in the rain without getting wet. (It's the stopping part that's miserable.) We discovered that the very nice RCMP officer at Maple Creek really didn't know how fast we had been going or was too polite to say.  I remember he wrote us a warning.... on a piece of pink paper and we taped it to the wall of the apartment like it was art. I'd like to thank him for that warning. To this day, I have an unblemished driving record!

I remember a Saturday afternoon at Lee River when a friend uttered "this day is perfect. It just doesn't get any better than this."

I remember my dad pacing and tapping his watch on my wedding day. "Are we going to do this? I thought we were supposed to start at 6:30?"

I remember finding the perfect wedding dress with Val, Paula & Tessa in tow.

I remember Lenore in her yard with her fuzzy slippers on and sipping coffee. I remember the first time we met. That was Christmas eve. She blew me away with her kindness and preparation.

I remember how Jason used to be my best shopping buddy. I remember the time we went to Folklorama.
I remember the time that he and Rick got me drunk on stupid Old Stock beer and that car ride home took "like... forever!"

I remember my Grandpa's teasing at cribbage and my grandma's love of TV ice skating.

I remember walking Leroy the dog, when I was a child.

I remember Jeff bubbling with excitement at the release of a new collector comic book and timing his walk to the store so he could make it there on a work break. I remember laughing so hard I cried when Jeff pointed out my typo, telling gardeners to plant their carrot seeds 3-6 feet deep.

I remember taking my first MS Kenora cruise as the Captain's wife and I remember the first time Harry tried to take me on an island picnic.

I remember dancing under the tent at Tracy and Chris' wedding. And being so nervous about making that wedding cake!

I remember being scared to cook at the restaurant I'd newly purchased. I remember being so grateful that I'd inherited an employee (Tiffany!) that knew what she was doing... and could show me. I remember the first time she & I made a milestone sales mark and celebrated with pedicures.

I'll never forget my childhood pen pal's first address.

I remember family reunions and laughing all night.

What I don't remember is anything about the last time we argued, the gifts we may have exchanged or whether or not you had new shoes. I can't ever remember what the grocery bill was or who spilled what on the carpet. Some days, I'm lucky to remember an appointment, an address or my store loyalty card.

Life is just a sequence of events, a billion numbers and a never ending to do list. So much data is coming at us constantly. Information is in.... and information is out. Lucky for me, there are still vignettes that stick. Memories I cherish. Happy memories I want more of.

Cheap Getaways with Allegiant

Allegiant Air has made an impact on the Canadian and Northern USA travel market with its border town getaways. All along the US/Canadian border Allegiant Air has been popping up and establishing themselves at secondary or small market airports. For example, the Grand Forks airport in North Dakota, or the Bellingham Airport in Washington state.

Allegiant has very select routes, but does them well. They have negotiated excellent package rates with hotels at their destinations. I'll use the Phoenix/Mesa Arizona example. Allegiant flies into the Mesa Williams Gateway Airport, rather than the area's major PHX (Phoenix Sky Harbour). It is a super easy airport to navigate and is an ideal jumping off point for a relaxing desert vacation.

Depending on the season, Allegiant will fly between 2 and 4 times a week between Grand Forks, and Phoenix/Mesa. I've seen one way flights as low as $39.99, but they do go up in price to around the $300 mark.   It just depends on supply and demand. Remember, around school and traditional calendar holidays, flights will always be more expensive.

One current example (Oct 27th)  is for a mini vacation in early December. Two adults can travel from Grand Forks, to Phoenix/Mesa for $775. That's all taxes included, airfare and hotel for 4 nights at the Arizona Resort & Conference Centre. It's not a 4 star  hotel, but Allegiant does recommend it and it certainly does have a good location and pool. However, if you would prefer to go high end. The iconic Arizona Biltmore (A Waldorf Astoria Hotel) is just $500 per person or $1037 per couple, all in.
Yup, $500 for a quick trip or sanity saver as I call them.

Allegiant flies to Orlando FL, Phoenix/Mesa AZ and Las Vegas NV pir of Grand Forks.  I should note that in Florida they use the secondary airport at Sanford which is over an hour from Disneyworld, but still a substantial savings over flying into MCO (Orlando International) with a bigger airline.

In Las Vegas Allegiant has space on the tarmac at THE Las Vegas airport. (LAS - McCarran International.) So with this destination and Allegiant, you're already a winner because you will save money over the bigger airlines and arrive in exactly the same spot.

As a matter of fact, you could take your sweetheart to Vegas February 11-16th, 2012 for $950 a couple (all in) and stay at the fabulous Monte Carlo. For just a few more dollars you could stay at Paris, Planet Hollywood or TI (Treasure Island).

Allegiant flies modern, first class planes. Depending on the model, they hold between 80 & 120 passengers, so popular dates/flights tend to fill up quick.

Florida is the newest destination for flights originating in Grand Forks. Minot does not yet offer Florida as a destination. However, as Allegiant has so far committed to fly the GF to Sanford/Orlando route from November 17th 2011 to May 15, 2012 with the possibility of becoming a permanent route. This is AMAZING news for area residents who may wish to take the family to Disneyworld.  It could save you 20 percent or more over the current cost of a Disney vacation.  I will follow up and write a column on this soon.

One quick example. Grand Forks to Sanford/Orlando November 24th to December 1st 2011, for 2 adults $984 all in. That's a whole week in Florida for less than $500 per person, including air, hotel and taxes. That would be to stay at the Wyndham Lake Buena Visa Resort in the Downtown Disney area. This hotel is a Disney partner hotel (but not on-site) and does indeed offer Disney character breakfasts, and shuttles to the park. It is also newly renovated. To stay the aforementioned dates, as a family of 4 with 2 children under 10 would cost $1425 all in.  Now, of course park passes, food etc would be an extra charge, but this is an EXCELLENT start to an inexpensive family vacation in sunny Florida.

I personally have flown Allegiant and would do it again. (Allegiant.com)  I just wouldn't check any bags. They have big time add on costs at Allegiant for checked bags, priority seating etc.  But a savvy traveller can save money with Allegiant and get to the popular destination quicker than  originally thought possible.

Save 25% at Old Navy

If you're inclined to do a little on-line shopping at Old Navy Canada in the next 2 days, use this code "ONHARVEST"  on the checkout page for 25% off most everything you buy.

I like their long sleeve boys' shirts and some of the fleece. Shipping is free over $50. Old Navy often offers deals if you are on their e-mailing list.

6 Reasons I like Delta Airlines

I have flown with West Jet, Air Canada, Delta and Allegiant in the last 2 years. None of these fine airlines has ever left me stranded. None have disappointed me. I would recommend any of them. But today I feel inspired to write about Delta.

I like Delta because:

1. They fly regional commuter planes from several cities in my area.  All the commuter planes in this area lead to Minneapolis/St Paul airport. (MSP). This one one of Delta's major hubs. From MSP you can go anywhere in the world.  Commuter planes are smaller and seat anywhere from 50-100 people.  (see photo) Flights to MSP from this area take about an hour. Approx 6 flights a day go from Minot North Dakota to MSP.  Talk about convenient! They also fly out of Devil's Lake, Grand Forks & Winnipeg.

2. They know how to have a seat sale!  Last summer I stumbled upon a seat sale of approx 70% off the normal holiday price to Maui. That was the best airfare bargain I'd ever seen. I pounced on it and we had a fabulous Hawaiian holiday last Christmas.  Thank you Delta!

3. I find their fashions amusing.  Their flight attendants wear at least a dozen different forms of the uniform. It is my guess that they wear the uniform from the decade they were hired. I've seen everything from pill box hats and stilettos, to Wal-mart-ish smocks, turtlenecks and crisp button-down shirts.

4. The food in first class rocks! Airline food has a bad reputation. However, on our Maui flight we had breakfast served on china plates. There were warm croissants, toasted bagels, fancy omelettes, fruit cups and really good coffee.  Score points for Delta!

5. Skymiles reward program. Delta rewards passengers with "airmiles", free trips and upgrades. They are even offering new credit cards to earn miles with. These are indeed available to both US & Canadian citizens. I don't have one, but it looks like a pretty good deal.

6. FREE FLIGHTS!!  Delta still overbooks their flights. Typically, they will overbook up to 6 seats. At the check in kiosk, or staff desk you might be asked to consider waiting for their next flight. Should you volunteer to take the next flight, they typically offer a $400 travel voucher per person. $400!!! That could  pay for your next entire round trip flight in the US.  Sometimes they ask for volunteers to take the next flight.... but it's just a bluff.... in these cases you'll get the upgrade to First Class. I've heard them use this one and say "thank you for volunteering, we just wanted to reward the nicest folks on this flight." It pays to be flexible... literally!

In summary, thought there are no direct Delta flights from my regional airport, the commute to MSP is worth it. Delta can take you anywhere you want to go. The planes, the staff and the service has been excellent. The prices have been very competitive, and flight times convenient. I would not hesitate to fly Delta again.

Why can't I take a compliment?

"Why can't you just take a compliment?" was recently uttered in my direction, out of frustration. A valid point really. What IS my problem?

Someone might say, "Cathie, you look healthy." And I hear "Cathie, you look fat, what happened?"  Someone might say, "You look great in those jeans." And I think "why are you looking at my ass?"
Someone might say, "You have beautiful eyes." And I instantly retort "no I don't, I'm tired, look at the crow's feet. I should really invest in better wrinkle cream."

So there's truly no winning with me. I have a sarcastic remark or thought for every innocent or well-meaning compliment.

"That's a pretty ring." And I reveal "Not really, I got it at the discount counter at JCPenny. It was too much of a bargain to resist."  And yet, in reality the ring is a sparkly and attractive 3/4 ct and has beautiful and trendy champagne diamonds as accents. So, really, by all accounts a pretty ring, but I have to open up my negative attitude and let it all spill out.

Is this a girl thing?  Am I that suspicious in nature that I think that each person who offers me a compliment is trying to mock me or bargain something from me?  Do I have such a negative self-image that I can't accept a compliment from people who are my friends, or even my own husband?

Young girls, I believe, are taught to refuse compliments in a coy and flirtatious way, in hopes of receive more delicious compliments.  However, there comes a point where everyone needs to grow up, shut up and say "thank you." Apparently I'm not there.

Young girls are constantly measured against perfection in magazines, on television and yes, (gasp) even amongst their peers.

And yet, all this being said, I am NOT critical of others in the same way. I can genuinely give compliments "I love your hair. It looks amazing!" Or, "I love that top on you." I genuinely mean these things. Though if I hear them directed at me, I go completely in the other direction.

What's the solution? I have no idea. Maybe I should shut up, smile and nod. Though, I'd probably somehow nod sarcastically... if that's possible.

What if this teflon coating keeps reflecting my bad attitude and the compliments cease? Where would my self image be then? Why is it so fragile? Damn. I should do something about this.

First step to a travel bargain

If you're going to nab the travel bargain, first you have to get on the list.

The old shotgun approach to advertising and marketing is dead. The shotgun approach was to blanket the audience with advertising (like putting an ad in 2 million newspaper copies)  and hope to "hit" 2-4% that would actually respond/buy. But now, in this Internet era, big businesses are really targeting their audience and often saving their very best deals for the folks who are already regular customers or subscribers.

So if I were to offer a very specific plan, it would be this:

Open up a generic hotmail/or similar e-mail account for your junk mail/subscriptions. Then grab a notebook and write down all your usernames, passwords or details for these specific subscriptions. Subscribing to Safeway's newsletter, Beaches Resorts etc etc all have different password formulas  - like must be 8 characters, or must contain numbers and letters. Way too confusing. And don't ever use the same password as your online banking or other secure info. Minimize your risk of getting hacked.

Then specifically choose the resorts, hotel chains, airlines and car rental agencies that you are most likely to use. Subscribing to their newsletters will show benefits right away.... some offer airmiles or similar points just for signing up.  Also "like" their facebook pages if you are on FB.  This will ensure that you are up to date on the offers.

Some offers are as good as 40% off regular rack rates at hotels, just for belonging to their President's Club or Preferred Guest Program. In addition to discounts, you can also learn a little about the products, services and activities that are offered.

It's best, truly, to have the separate e-mail set up for offers (as noted above) because if you subscribe to even 10 different sites, and you receive one e-mail a week, they can sure add up fast. Chances are you'll become frustrated with the clutter of all the e-mails amongst your important mail, so best to separate from the beginning.

Atlantis resort (Atlantis.com) and West Jet (westjet.com) have good newsletters and offers. I enjoy receiving theirs. Though sometimes it's so tempting I find myself constantly dreaming of the Bahamas!

California Christmas?

Christmas travel can be expensive and stressful. But it can also be an amazing get away from tradition.

Typically, we have spent our Christmases doing the same thing... bouncing from house to house, doing the divorced family Christmas thing. Sharing time, splitting up days and trying to make sure everyone gets equal, or at least a satisfactory amount of time with the grandkids. It can be very hard. Hard on everyone. Bouncing the kids from place to place, trying to squeeze fun into a tight time frame.  Everyone is watching the clock, and celebrating on a schedule just so you can make your next scheduled appointment.

Then there's the gifts. Too many gifts. Too much pressure. Too much stuff you really don't need. All you really need is the company of your loved ones. That's truly all you really crave. Cookies are nice, but they don't replace the hugs and giggles with Grandpa or Uncle Earl or whomever you adore. Those visits can be any time. Any time of year at all. Equally wonderful on the 12th of the month, 24th or 29th.

So last year we tried things a little differently. We made sure to get our special visits in. Just on different days and in a different fashion. We had a gift ban with all friends and relatives. It was actually very liberating. Families that we typically exchange gifts with all agreed NO GIFTS, just casual evening visits in the "holiday season." It was like an invisible burden was lifted. We all shared the same sentiment.

We decorated the house very minimally. We saved our gift money etc and put it towards a family vacation. We happened to snag a bargain. (Are you surprised? LOL) We had 8 days in Maui. It was a gift to ourselves. We opted for surfing lessons on the 27th of Dec. and watched the sunset on the beach the same night. Instead of turkey, we had tacos. Instead of candy canes, we had macadamia nuts. And on New Year's eve, we went to a Luau. It was amazing. What an experience!

Did anyone miss Christmas? Nope. Did anyone miss the stress? Nope. But it's also not something you can do every year. It's a treat.

It can even work on a budget. West Jet looks like they still have some decent priced flights to California. Bypass LAX and use the SNA (Anaheim airport). And unless you are into crowds, I probably wouldn't make it my first or only visit to Disneyland. But what about Christmas in San Diego? Or Palm Springs?  California is a new destination for West Jet. There are still some bargains out there, more so than Florida at this time of the year.

West Jet package prices for a week at Christmas 2011 start around $1000 per person. However, airfare & hotel booked separately leads to increased opportunity to save money and tailor your hotel choice. Maybe the family wants to glide down a lazy river at a resort, rather than toboggan down a snow hill this Christmas? You never know unless you try it.

Christmas travel gets 4 thumbs up from my crew.

Good Day, eh?

Today was a good day at the restaurant. I needed a good day. I was starting to let exhaustion overcome me and take the love out of the job.

And then... the troops came marching in. One by one and two by two, the friendly faces were all around. Regular customers who are more than just that. They're not customers, clients or guests, they're friends. People I love seeing. I love cooking for them. I love serving their desserts. They came in droves today. (Ok. they came in Toyotas and Fords and Chevrolets, but they came in. ) And their visits gave me a lift. They gave me energy and the necessary reminder that my restaurant is valued, and I am valued.

Restaurant life isn't easy. It's 80 hours a week of cooking and prepping. It's hot and tiring being on your feet all day. It's always trying to please someone else. But I love it. And I believe I do it well.  And the reason I keep doing it and trying my best is for the people who genuinely care and make me smile in return.

Just the other day, a regular customer took a moment to pass on a compliment before he left. He got my attention and said, "Thanks Cathie, those chicken fingers were perfect. It's just what I needed."

Now really, chicken fingers aren't a big deal. We serve 1000's of them. They're pretty hard to screw up. But, I believe he was genuinely appreciative of the effort and the hot lunch and maybe it really was just what he needed that day. But the compliment, well timed and so appreciated made MY day.

Sometimes all you need is a pat on the back, and the day becomes a little easier to bear.  So a sincere thanks to all those who lifted me up today and gave me the pep talk I needed.

Volatility of air fare prices

It's up. It's down. It's all about supply and demand. Buying air fare is like buying shares in the stock market. It is so difficult (and scary) to know when to jump in and buy.  Everything is timing. And like the stock market, you don't want to buy (when the price is) high.

For lack of a better hobby, I've been studying air fare prices to popular destinations over the last couple of years. It's interesting. Ok, interesting in a patterning and nerdy kind of way.

The pattern I have seen is that each airline has a baseline, a standard, fair price to each route.  Then, depending on when you buy, it can be more or less expensive than the baseline.

Let's say, for example that a one way fare price is $200 (plus taxes and fees).  You might see that price available 5 months in advance of the route. But the closer you get to the travel date, you will see the fare go up and down. Whether it's called a "seat sale" or a price adjustment or whatever, it doesn't matter. So suddenly you might be looking at the airfare price 3 months out and it's $169.  It's now up to you knowing it could go lower, and for certain it will go back up. What you need to determine is what price you will be happy at. Are you a gambler? How low will it go? Will you kick yourself if it goes up to $240?

One thing you can be sure of , is that if there is a national/calendar holiday, demand for air fares around that date will be higher than average. (ie. Thanksgiving)  So, if you wish to find a bargain, you need to book early, or be prepared to book an alternate date for your flight. Sometimes it's as easy as looking at the day before or the day after your first choice.

I record the lowest price I've ever seen on a particular route and keep that in mind if I plan to buy. For example, a one way flight from Winnipeg to Vancouver is generally around $200, but sometimes it is offered at $149. The best I've ever seen is $124. So, with that knowledge in mind, I would be able to make better bargain-hunting decisions.

Air Canada is the only airline, that I use that offers to send you automated fare alerts for prices that you can set yourself. For example, if you receive their monthly newsletters and sales, you can pre-set your preferences. You may choose 4 or 5 different routes to watch. You set your price and it e-mails you every time your specified price is met on a route! It's much easier than checking prices yourself daily. I have an alert for Winnipeg to Maui. If the one way fare price falls to $249 I receive an e-mail.  Getting that cheery e-mail is a nice pick me up on an average ho-hum day even if I can't go to Maui.

I have always found the best air fare prices are purchases directly from the airline. And when you use their website, there are no ticketing fees (except for Allegiant who charges about $17 each to book on-line) with the big airlines like Delta, Air Canada and West Jet.

The best prices, in general, are for average, boring days like Tuesdays or Saturdays, NOT around national holidays and are purchased between 6 and 8 weeks in advance of the flight. But it's all ultimately up to the individual buying the air fare. What blend of date, time and price is right for you?

You know it's time for a break when....

I've been burning the candle at both ends for a while now. I'm pretty durable and can take quite a bit. But the last week, I've had a couple of clear indicators that I need to slow it down a bit.

You know you're tired when... finally get home, sit down at the end of your work day and pour a cup of tea and open a chocolate bar and the next thing you know you wake up (still sitting upright on the couch) because the dog is licking the uneaten chocolate bar in your hand.  And you're first thought is... "what time is it?  4AM? Oh good, I can still get a few things done before I go back to work."

You know you're tired when.... your son asks you to lie down in his bed and read him a book and the next thing you know you're awake, it's pitch black, you've just cranked your head on the top bunk and you have no idea what the hell just happened. But... there's a book on the floor and a sleeping child and you piece it together.

You know you're tired when.... you look forward to using the bathroom because at least it's a break.

You know you're tired when... your truck's fuel indicator light flashes "low gas" warning and urges you to refuel and you reply out loud, "yeah well I'm running on empty too. Shut up. You're going to have to wait."

But for me the most laughable indicator was last night.  I was home in the evening, during daylight (rare!) and I looked outside the kitchen window and let out a gasp and a little scream. My husband "what's the matter? " And before I could even think I said "I thought I saw a lion." Yes. I am an idiot. For a split second there I thought I saw a small male lion stalking my pasture.  I am exhausted. I am an idiot. It was my miniature horse, Sunny, who has lived here "forever" and walked past my window "a million times."  I laugh even writing this.  Yeah, but he LOOKED like a lion... oh, nevermind.

Now if only I could get some rest, a new chocolate bar and a day off, I'm sure I'd be good as new.

The boy & his mansion

My son has a clear and focused vision for his future. In fact his daydreaming is so clear that he's asked me to write down details and shopping lists for his future home.

The way he sees it, he's going to be a rich, professional hockey player with a beach house. He calls it "the mansion." As in, "Mom, get my book. We're going to write about my mansion." Or, "If you make me eat that (corned beef) sandwich, I'm not going to let you live in the mansion!"

Funny how kids get ideas and some are fleeting thoughts, and others - like this one - last for weeks and weeks. We've discussed it at bedtime. We've discussed it first thing in the morning. He's discussed it with his grandparents and at the grocery store. He's even got me talking about it, at work and here too.

The mansion sounds like a pretty great place. We're going to have a 9 car garage; 8 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms. There will be a breakfast room, a disco room, a quiet room for reading, an indoor pool, a games room and.... well, you get the picture.

Somedays CJ plans to have lots of staff. A maid, a cook, a driver, a bartender and several security guards. Though other days he's in a mood and starts cutting staff. If I'm current on his mood swing, I think it's just the bartender we're keeping. I lobbied for the maid, but for whatever reason, CJ wants to keep the bartender. Or do I say "bartender/driver/lunch cook/pool boy."  It seems this person better be a jack of all trades and want to work very hard.

That's another interesting point of note, CJ doesn't want me to work. He says in the future his mom will just sleep, read, hang out on the beach and go to his hockey games. Someday I intend to ask why he doesn't want me to work in the future. But for right now I'll choose  to believe that he is acknowledging the fact that I am working so many hours right now and perhaps he even misses me.  It's also very rewarding to be included in his daydreams. I'm so very lucky that he wants me in his life and in his future. What a great kid!

Hello Hawaii

Air Canada, one of the world's best airlines, has very recently settled their union contract with CUPE. As a way of thanking customers for their patience & continued patronage, they are currently offering a 15% off deal anywhere they fly.  Offer must be booked by Sept 25.

Check out this little gem of a deal:  December 5-12 Maui for $598 tax in; return! Now I won't be going... but you might want to!!  Check out anywhere and everywhere they fly this fall at 15% off by typing FLYDEC15 into the promo box.

I do expect that Westjet will match the offer tomorrow. Tee hee! I love this kind of stuff.

Air Canada offer

My First Man Trip

I've always liked football. Actually, it's pretty much all team sports. I've always watched and enjoyed, discussed and attended sporting events. It's the way I was raised. I share these interests with my brother and it's one of our strongest links as siblings.

I grew up watching NFL football and have admired many players for their incredible talent. Dan Marino & the Miami Dolphins, Steve Young and the San Francisco 49s and Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers were some of my most favourite quarterbacks and teams.

When I started to travel more intensely, as an adult, I began to pursue "life experiences" rather that vacations or mere casual vacation activities. Meaning that I decided I could travel for an event or a specific activity NOT just because it was my holiday time or I had casual interest in a destination.

So when Brett Favre came out of retirement for the 2nd time and announced his intention to play with the Minnesota Vikings, I decided that I was going to see him play live. It took some research and preparation. After all... the greatest (my opinion and that of many others) quarterback of all time was going to play just one more season. I had to see it!  There was a huge buzz and very quickly Minnesota Vikings games were selling out all over the country.

My next step was to analyze the schedule and see where they played that would suit my work schedule. I then narrowed it down to "away games" and cities that I had interest in seeing. There was no way I was going to freeze my ass in chicago in the middle of winter to see ANY football player. So... Arizona it was! Arizona is also an ideal location as with their slumping economy and desire for tourists, flights are cheap and so are accommodations. Not that I want to take advantage of anyone in a down turned economy, it simply makes sense to visit and offer them any little boost I can.

So I decided that I  would start planning in earnest. I talked to my brother and he thought it was a great idea. I then picked up a pair of club seats off of Stub hub. (My friends & I have used this service numerous times and never got burned. It's fabulous for grabbing the seats you want when you want them.) Club seats.... they deserve a column of their own! Though, in short, my theory is that if the difference in the best seats and the "nosebleed" seats is $50. YOU HAVE TO GET THE GOOD SEATS. Especially if this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience or you are travelling for an event. Sit in the good seats!

I should mention that with club seats, in Arizona anyway, you get access to the building and lounges 3 hours pre-game. You get to see the teams warm up and you get to chill and enjoy the atmosphere before the flood gates open and the other 60,000 people get in.  (So worth it!)

Anyways, when my brother & I go on Man Trips we get a 2 bedroom condo or something similar. The Marriott (Towne brand) chain is good for these types of rooms as well. There are a number of "long stay" kitchenette type rooms that you can get at a reasonable price.

Flights weren't hard to get either. We simply searched our dates regularly until they came to a typical sale price for the route & then pounced!

I think in the end we stayed 4 days in Phoenix/Glendale. We took in a Coyotes game (I'd highly recommend it) and THE GAME.  I LOVED the whole NFL experience. It was like absolutely nothing I'd ever done. When 65,000 people are all cheering, it moves you. You feel the vibrations right through your ribs and into your core. It's like being a part of one big surreal experience. And never mind the tailgating. OMG I had no idea they were THAT serious about tailgating. Keith and I showed up 3.5 hours before the event, thinking we'd be able to take in the whole atmosphere and really it seemed like we were the LAST people to arrive before the game. Crowds arrived pre-dawn it seemed to stake out their spot and set up their elaborate BBQ stations. Plus there were bands playing and people tossing around footballs. It seemed that the Sunday night NFL game was a 12 hour experience for Arizona fans.

Ultimately, I got to see my favourite QB play. The game and weekend were amazing. And there began my love for the Man Trip.  Why do I call it a Man Trip?  Because Keith & I went, just as a couple of buddies, going to see a game. No kids, no pressure, no shopping, no whining, no fancy clothes. Just a couple buddies, a couple beers and a couple games.  Ah, the Man Trip. When can I go again?

Why 19" is better than 20"

I love to travel. The more trips I can squeeze out of my limited travel budget the better. I love the 5 star trip at the 2 star price. But every year there seem to be more and more surcharges levied by the airlines. My point is clearly illustrated by Air Canada's recent announcement to charge $25 per checked bag. This is inline with what other carriers, like Delta, have been doing for a while. Discount carriers that have come on the scene, like Allegiant Air, have many surcharges, checked bags being just one of them.

So, to maximize my travel budget I've gotten used to travelling with just a carry on bag. Not only used to it, I'm almost dictator-like when it comes to family vacations. In fact, we travelled to Hawaii on Delta airlines last Christmas and got the bargain of a lifetime on the flights. I was not going to mess with my accomplishment by checking 4 bags and forking over another $200 to Delta. That $200 was instead spent on surfing lessons. Easy to see that surfing provides a better family memory versus toting extra clothes across the country.

So how do we do it? How did we spend 8 nights in Hawaii with only check-on bags?  Well here are my top 5 secrets to packing light and efficiently.

1) Only bring it if you really love wearing it and it can be worn in at least 2 different outfits.
2) Jumbo ziploc bags. Roll everything, stuff in jumbo ziplocs and take the air out. This is also easy & tidy if customs/security wants to search your bag.
3) Wear you most bulky items on the plane. For example, the one sweater, pair of jeans & walking shoes you are bringing on the trip.
4) Know in advance if your hotel/resort has guest laundry facilities. I would MUCH rather do one load of laundry halfway thru the trip than haul twice the clothes.
5) Know your airline rules for liquids, bag size, etc. Etc. The more you know in advance the better.

The reason I say 19 inches is better than 20 is that while most airlines allow the little wheely rectangular 20 inch suitcases as your carry on, they often get stuffed to the zippers and can bulk up past the allowable size. When they ask you to measure it in their metal sample thingy at the airline counter, you can get busted and be asked to check it. When you have to check at the counter the prices go up. For example, if you pre-pay your bag on Allegiant when you are booking the flight it's $35, but if you have to check it when you get to the counter it's $50.

Also, budget and regional carriers are flying planes like the MD88 or MD90 series. A great plane, but limited overhead space. So again, if you can't jam it in the overhead bin, or you are late boarding the plane... guess what.... you're checking it now.

Many of the luggage makers are now producing a compact 19" model that looks just the same as the industry standard 20 inches.  These bags at a good sale price are under $50 to buy. And you'll slide in nicely at the measuring device and look like a pro.

Follow my carry on advice and you'll never get stuck at the baggage carousel waiting for bags that arrive damaged or 30 minutes after you do. You'll grab the first cab and be on the beach in no time.

Revealing the lesson

In hardship and in good times there are lessons. Lessons, that help us to grow, understand and witness our true selves. In my life, I am surrounded by many good people. Some masquerade as neighbours, some as employees, some as restaurant customers; but all are friends. I would find it challenging to get through the trying times if I didn't have these people in my life.

Yesterday I learnt a lesson. My own children still need me. Now believe me, this isn't headline news...nor had I ever lost sight of this... I was simply reminded. My youngest appealed to the school secretary that he wasn't feeling well and needed to go home. I was summoned and appeared promptly to gather him up. (Thank goodness for the employee who said she could cover my shift and urged me to leave work.)   Behind the "stomach ache" or the bump on the playground ( he couldn't remember which he was concerned of) was simply a desire to be with his mom.

In kindergarten he went to school every second day. As a team, restaurant staff, neighbours, grandparents and friends all helped me juggle work and CJ's off time so we didn't have to put him in day care (and pay for full time and only use half time). We had adventures. There were days when he had to tag along to work with me. There were challenging days but somehow we made it work.

Yesterday his actions told me that he missed our exclusive time together. He wanted his brother and dad to be at school/work and us to just hang out. Truth is I miss it too. But I'm not going to pull him out of school to cuddle.  That being noted, it did make me realize how much time I'm dedicated to the restaurant right now. 80+ hours a week and at times it's overwhelming. I'm missing him and I know I'm missing out. Somehow I'll make it up to them this winter when things slow down. Or is that what a classic work-a-holic says? Did I really learn a lesson? How can I make changes in the future? Ultimately, do the kids respect me for working so hard or are we going down a path where we have to pull the team together to make changes?

Just getting out

Sometimes it isn't about where you're going. Sometimes it's about just getting out!

We get into routines and we get into ruts. The older we get, the tougher it is to make changes. But complacency is no reason or excuse to accept boredom. You've got to grab life by the nads and try something new.

September is an absolutely fantastic month to try something new. The kids are back in school. They've got a fresh start.... so why not you too? Is this the season for you to try a cooking class? What about going dancing one night? Or even doing your makeup different?

If you're not buying into this philosophy, how about a baby step? If you always eat your french fries with ketchup, try them with gravy and cheese instead. Or take a different route to work - grab coffee from a new place?  I had a hazelnut coffee the other day instead of my regular vanilla latte. It was nice.

Don't settle for your rut. Get out of your comfy place and find something that gets your blood rushing again.

Crazy trip bargain

Stumbled upon this one last night. Fly from Grand Forks, ND to Mesa AZ from Sept 4-8 for $55 each way. Or, package it with one of the most amazing, prestigious hotels (Arizona Biltmore, Waldorf Astoria) AND a car rental.... $750. That's air, hotel, car & taxes included for 2 people.  OMG. If I didn't have kids heading back to school, you know where I'd be.

Go to Allegiant Air's web site. Arizona sale is on to June 20.

mary
GRAND FORKS,ND (GFK) to PHOENIX - MESA,AZ (IWA)  Departing: Sun, Sep 4 7:30 pm FLT# 163 Returning: Thu, Sep 8 1:45 pm FLT# 162 Arizona Biltmore, The Waldorf-astoria Collection 1 room, 4 nights, 2 Adults Check In: Sun, Sep 4 Check Out: Thu, Sep 8 ALAMO Compact Car Pick Up: Sun, Sep 4 Drop Off: Thu, Sep 8	Discounts you've received! • 4th Night Free* Trip Price = $669.96 Taxes & Fees = $76.78 Total Cost $746.74

What's your hobby?

One of the simply amazing things about the Internet is the ability to connect people with similar interests or hobbies. You may like lime green Dodge Neon cars, with after market exhaust systems and Kenwood stereos and chances are you can find the (2 ... JK) other people in the universe that like the same.  If you have a popular interest like Elvis Presley photos, you will be able to find millions of web pages that can grab your interest.  So, it really doesn't matter where on earth you live, or what you are interested in, you can connect with like-minded individuals.

There was a time when hunting for vintage car parts could take years or even decades. A person could dedicate hours on every road trip to stopping in small town garages, or farmers' fields, or collector's swap meets to find the part they needed. Now, all you do is click a few times on Google, and there you are.... parts for your AMC Gremlin.

My tastes, though more refined (just kidding. I am a jokester today!!) include 1949 Chevrolet trucks and 1962 Corvettes. Seems any time I wish to indulge in daydreaming I can sit down in my comfy computer chair and view the most beautiful cars/trucks on the web. But am I missing out? Am I missing out on the great stories or the treasure hunts and mysteries of chasing the elusive car, or parts for the elusive car? Do things now-a-days just come too easy? What ever happened to the thrill of the chase?

What moves you?

Though the weather has been absolutely terrible lately, people still find the strength to help each other and to keep moving forward. That in itself is inspirational. Floods, fires, tornadoes and hail are things we can't control. All anybody can do is prepare in advance, act on the best information you have and have faith that we will overcome all obstacles.

It seems to me that these same battles are fought against disease and sickness. You can build yourself up with good food, exercise and positive energy, but you must face what life throws your way. Events like the Cancer Relay for Life, where participants walk all night, rejoice and share memories of loved ones, take place all over North America. It's a wonderful thing when people come together in celebration or remembrance.

Together, we are so much stronger.

Celebrate in the here and now

Recently I was asked to do a video presentation, created from special family photos. It was a special birthday celebration for a woman who was a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and best friend to so many people. Everyone in her life took time to gather their special photos and plan an event to celebrate her birthday with her.

We had about 50 photographs and set them to the Nat King Cole song "Unforgettable".  It was a beautiful video of a beautiful life and woman. The fabulous part about everything is that her family was celebrating with her, and not after she was gone. This was a birthday party and a time to rejoice. Her family found the time in their busy lives to come together and celebrate in the here and now.

That was a great reminder to me to celebrate my friendships and loved ones in the here and now. Regardless of how corny it sounds, when was the last time you told your own mother that you loved her?

With Mother's Day around the corner most people feel obligated to buy a gift, make a phone call or take Mom out to dinner. But what if you did these things and it WASN'T Mother's Day? What if you took Mom shopping and bought her a new purse, or carried her groceries to the car, or what if you took her down to the jewellery store and had her rings professionally cleaned for her? What if you did something that made her eyes sparkle? What if it wasn't Mother's Day?  Would she know for certain that you loved her? You bet she would.

In the same mindset, I remind my best friend as often as I can that she is my BFF and why. We've had some great times together and have more great times to come. It's a relationship, like any other that needs work and maintenance to stay strong.

You can apply the same effort and standards to all your important relationships - with your children, your neighbours, your employer and the people you rely on. Find a way to celebrate in the here and now. If you bake some cookies, share them with your neighbours or your kids' friends. Share a laugh. Celebrate in the here and now.

September Travel

Kids are back in school. The weather is still gorgeous. Could there be a better time to travel?  Is it time for a road trip across the midwest? A cruise to Alaska? A flight to Paris in the fall?

The Caribbean is always on my mind, and though I have been there in July and August, I would hesitate to go in September. September & October and prime hurricane months. If you are on a cruise ship, rest assured that the ever present technology will be able to re-route you safely and quickly out of harms way. However, the same can not be said about being on land. Hurricane prone areas are used to the 'shelter-in-place" model to ride out the storm. However do you really want to be stressing in a hotel room when you would rather be sunning on the beach?

What about Disneyland in September? I think this would be an ideal time to take a pre-schooler.

What will you be doing this September when the school bell rings? Time to start your planning today.

Encouragement

Encouragement costs you nothing but it can mean a whole lot to the recipient. When was the last time you said, "great work today" to your employee, or co-worker, or even your own child? Was it today? Was it yesterday? If you can't pin point the moment, it's been too long.

What if you told the gas jockey that washed your windows that he did a great job and that washing your windows on this slushy, dirty spring day, really helped you out. Do you think he might remember your words? Do you think it might help him get through the next 5 hours of his 8 hour shift pumping gas?

What if you said the same thing to your dentist? "Thanks for doing a great job on that filling. My tooth doesn't hurt anymore and I'm going to enjoy eating a meal once again."

What if we were all openly, expressively grateful for the little things that make our lives easier? Or just thankful for the people in our lives who make a difference.  What if...

March Maui 1 Day Sale

I happen to love Maui. You likely will too. Conde Nast magazines consistently rate it in the top 5 destinations for families.

Today, Westjet.com is offering seat sale prices to Maui and Honolulu, Hawaii. Most prices are under $200 each way, from Canada.  For example, Edmonton (YEG) to Maui (OGG) has great flight times. If you go on June 15th and return on the 23rd, including all taxes is $590 per person. Heck of a deal! That's flight only, so you would need to secure a hotel separately, but that's easy to do.

This is a limited time offer. Very limited. Westjet calls it their Blue Tag Thursday specials. The sale is 4 hours only and just started.  Flights are in May and June.

If it's in the budget, and you have your credit card and calendar handy you should definitely check it out!

Westjet sale

Evacuation kit

Ok lets's do this. Yes, this weekend. Flooding is imminent in many areas. It's not a question of "if," it's a question of when and how bad. Stop procrastinating! It's time to make this happen.

First off, where will you go? Do you have a relative or friend that can accomodate your family for a week, or perhaps longer? Or, would your homeowner's insurance pay for a hotel if you were displaced? Perhaps it's time to call a hotel and book a tentative stay. You don't want to be scrambling at the last minute.

Next, literally, buy a big Rubbermaid tub, or perhaps two. The first would be for food and supplies, the other for clothes and personal effects. However, in the even of extreme emergency and for example, a helicopter or boat rescue, the only thing you might be able to take is a backpack... so include that in tub #2.

In the first tub store water and non perishable food to last 72 hours, for your family and pets. Include a can opener, plates, matches, a candle, plastic garbage bags, a flashlight, empty coffee can and toilet paper. The empty coffee can and garbage bags are often overlooked but are two of the most important and most multi-purpose items.  A tarp, gloves, a pocket knife, a battery or crank operated radio, bandages and a first aid kit are also recommended.

In your second tub, the most important items are your personal identification, a phone, cash (ATM, debit etc may not be available) insurance info (phone/contact number/file number) clothing including hats and footwear, medication.

Lastly, know your physical evacuation route. What highway will you take? Who is your point of contact? Pick one friend or family member to communicate with. They can update the others. At what point should they start looking for you?

It sounds very scary. But all you need to do is to think like a Boy Scout. Plan ahead and prepare, then hope for the best. Start "tuning in" to local authorities. Most areas have web sites or hotlines to call for the latest flood forecasts and information.  And while I have mentioned flooding here, these emergency prepared kits/evacuation kits would be the same in response to fire evacuation, earthquake or other natural disaster.

As I asked in another blog posting... can you do 72?

Five dollars of happiness

I bet you're thinking that $5 of happiness is $5 spent on ice cream! Or at least you may have guessed that's what I would say. But in this case, no. Ok, and yes. Because $5 spent on a medium Oreo Arctic Whip, or one in Rolo is indeed happiness and money well spent. But what I intended to write about is the lottery.

Whether you are in Canada, or the USA, there are big lotto draws this weekend! I generally don't buy or advocate for lotteries, but I DO like to dream a bit.  So tonight when I pick up a ticket I'm going to think about it as $5 worth of happiness regardless of the outcomes.

I absolutely know that the odds are against winning the lotto. And this will be the only $5 I put into Lotto Max this month, but here's why I think of it as five dollars of happiness.... When I buy a ticket I don't check it right after the draw. I wait at least one whole day. I don't look up the winning numbers or even consider validating the ticket until I have thought about what I would do IF I was rich. I almost "pretend" I have the winning ticket and think about all the trips and things I would do IF I won the lotto. It's a great day of "what would I do."  It gives me a chance to dream and think about all the people whose lives I could enrich if I had that ability. I think about which island I would charter a plane to and take all my friends. It's a fun, cheap escape from reality.

I know it's just postponing the disappointment of a losing ticket, but I still do get a kick out of it. $5 of "happiness." It's great for the end of  hard week. A little "what if" reward.  Then again, you might choose ice cream. That's a sure bet!!

Organizing your next travel adventure

If you can google it, you can research it. If you can research it, you can live it. Anything is possible. You just have to figure out what you want.

If you want fabulous travel stories and money is no object, pick up a magazine and choose something from the glossy pages. Phone, or click and start your vacation. IF you're more like me, and money is always an issue, then you need to put in the time and do the research.

First... what kind of vacation are you after? Tropical? European? Land or Sea? Backyard adventure? Hands on experience? Something you saw on TV?

Step 2... Google.  What did you see in the magazine that you wanted?  Now, do you want to be on that exact beach or something similar? Or do you want to eat in a restaurant you saw on the Food Network?  Where is it?

Step 3... How do you get there? Car, plane? If it's a plane... research what airlines fly to your potential destination. Is it seasonal service? What does it cost?

Step 4... Research the the country, the climate, the politics, the money, the crime, the tourism industry, the activities available.  Can you live with the answers?  If yes, keep going. If not, move on to another destination. What do the folks on Trip Advisor have to say about it?

Step 5.... Find out where you want to stay. Then... and this is the most important step.... find a way to start communicating with them. Usually this is as easy as subscribing to their e-mail list. It won't be long before they are sending you special offers. This includes getting on the mailing list of the airline you plan to use so that you get notice of seat sales. Seat sales often only last a day or two. It pays (or saves!) to be on top of this.

Step 6...  Price out your potential vacation. Try it in various months or dates. National holidays and school holidays (Easter, Thanksgiving, Spring Break etc) will tend to be higher. Can you go at less busy times?  Once you have a good grasp on the cost, start planning and saving.  Corny as it may sound... I have a big glass pickle that says "My Maui Money" on it. You can bet it's a great visual reminder of where I want to go and that I need to be saving for it.

A little research and some advance planning can save a lot. I believe it's the key to a dream vacation. Last minute bargains can be fabulous... spontaneous and fun... HOWEVER you may be getting the vacation that no body else wanted. You may not get the type of vacation that suits you. You may be getting something that is "good enough" at a good price.

I truly believe that the research and the anticipation and the planning process can be inspirational. Even thinking about a great future vacation can be a stress reliever. Knowing that you have something to look forward to can be a great motivator.

Not that serious

Have you ever had one of those days where things just got a little out of hand? One of those days where in the moment it all seems pretty stressful, but when you look back maybe it wasn't that terrible after all?

I think everybody gets wrapped up in their own job. You want to do the best you can do. You judge yourself more harshly than others would judge. But shouldn't we all give ourselves a break?

Most of our jobs aren't life or death situations. So, if something didn't get done quite right, or as quickly as you'd hoped, it's not truly the end of the world.  Maybe give yourself a Kit Kat & give yourself a break.

Can you do 72?

In case of a serious natural disaster or other potentially life threatening situation, could you sustain yourself and your family for 72 hours?

The Government of Canada recommends that families be prepared to take care of themselves for 72 hours in the event of a large scale disaster. 72 hours should be enough time for help to arrive. But in order to receive help, you have to survive.

The tragedies in Japan, so fresh in our minds and on our televisions, should heighten personal awareness and cause everyone to think about their own situations and analyze our own potential hazards. I'm not saying "be selfish and only think of yourself." On the contrary, I'm saying do what you can to help others while they are in danger, but should that happen to you, how would you help YOURSELF.

What if rescue workers couldn't get to you? What if you were isolated by flood or fire?  Think about the natural and man-made hazards that exist in your own personal location.  Then prepare for your personal situation, and pray it never happens.

What is your evacuation route? How would you communicate is cell and Internet service was knocked out?  What if roads were not useable? In the case of flood... what is higher ground? If your house roof was your only option, how would you and your children get up there. Things as simple as... know where your ladder is.

Non-perishable food supplies. I'm not saying buy out the grocery store, I'm saying have food and clean water supply available, enough to sustain your family for 72 hours. And think about the little details.... canned food, requires a can opener.

Who can you call for help? Do you have a phone book? They seem irrelevant now with Google, but what if you had no Internet service? Assume that 911 is flooded with critical life situations and could not take your call.  Who would get to you? Who can help? This is when neighbors need each other. Do you know your neighbors?

Be a Boy Scout. Know that you could sustain yourself and your family for at least 72 hours. For more info, go to Get Prepared

Westjet 15th Birthday Sale

Until March 17th, Westjet.com has sale prices on most of their destinations for travel up to the end of June. Depending on your travel interests and budgets, you may snag a deal to celebrate.

Bacteria in your pillow

Eat your veggies and get your rest! Good advice that I think we can all agree is necessary for good health.

But did you know that the fluffy white pillow you rest your head on at night could be causing a host of health problems? Do you wake up "stuffy" or congested? Do you have trouble sleeping at night? Have asthma, allergies or feel groggy in the mornings? It could be because you've been breathing in bacteria, fungus, dust mites and worse.  Even if you wash your pillow case every week, you could be harbouring a mass of health hazards under your head.

Pillows absorb germs, skin, bacteria and saliva when we sleep. Even with the cases washed in HOT water and dried on hot heat, the germs from the pillow itself can bounce right back into your lungs while you sleep.

What can and should be done?  To extend the freshness of your pillow, use pillow protectors or antibacterial covers underneath your own decorative pillow case. And since most pillows don't respond well to washing machines, you may wish to simply give it 10-15 minutes in the dryer to kill bacteria.  Paediatricians and allergy specialists recommend changing pillows every 6 months to year for allergy prone patients.

Bedding manufacturer, Martex, recommends that everyone replace their pillow at least every two years.

In my house, we get a "round of new pillows" each new year. "Out with the old and in with the new," I say.

There are new antimicrobial and antibacterial pillows on the market, and are priced as low as $10. (Loblaws/Superstore).  Pillows come in all shapes, stuffing and sizes. Prices vary from 2/$8 at Walmart to $25 or more at specialty home retailers.  Regardless of the pillow you chose, I believe it's a very small price to pay to breathe easier. So if it's 2 years old or more, it's gotta go!

Flood Preparation

Spring flooding is becoming an annual occasion in our part of the country. While forecasting the event is becoming more and more sophisticated, you never can truly know when the water will rise and how rapidly.

What we DO know is that it spring comes every year and with it, sometimes, comes floodwaters. While you can not control Mother Nature, you can take charge of your own household and make flood preparations a part of your late winter routine.

One of the first things you can do is to call your insurance agent and have a conversation about your current insurance coverage. Does it cover overland flooding? Does it cover sewer back up? What if you have a backwater valve installed, will that reduce your deductible?  Ask about your coverage in detail. The better informed you are, the fewer surprises you will have down the road.

Next, when was that last time you had a licensed plumber inspect your household plumbing? Are your drains clean, do you have a sump pump in your basement?  Many municipalities that have flooding issues have initiated sump pump programs and subsidies for homeowners. Does your municipality offer this? If they do, the requirement is almost always that a licensed plumber install the sump pump and sign off on it. If this is the case in your area, you NEED to call a plumber well in advance to book your appointment.

Back in your basement you can take steps immediately. Move any keepsakes to higher ground. Consider putting your washer and dryer up on blocks or a pallet to get them off the floor. Remember to disconnect their electrical, or turn off the breaker, if flooding becomes imminent.

For items that are in permanent storage in your basement, can you enclose them in Rubbermaid totes, or other similar storage containers. Or would it be better to rent an off-site storage locker?

Finally, prepare yourself for short notice evacuation should the situation become serious. Pack at least an overnight back of your clothes, medications etc. Also in that bag you should include copies of your insurance policy, or at the very least your Insurance Agents' emergency contact number.  Do you know where your pets might reside if you are forced to live at a hotel for a few days? What other things might you need?

Thinking through your evacuation plan and planning for flooding events will help you mitigate the damage and disruption to your household should a flood or other disaster occur.

Tell your kids to GET OUT

It cuts back to basics. It's the simple truth... nothing... NOT A THING matters as long as your family is safe.

There was a house fire in our community last night. Parents and four children made it out alive (and unharmed)  in the middle of the night. The house burnt to the ground.  They made it out because they knew what to do and acted quickly. Possessions were irrelevant;  people are everything.

Within hours of the tragedy, the community has come together to provide essential items, and is overflowing with support. They will be fine. Their community and school will ensure that.

But what I personally want everyone to do with their own family is to reinforce the "GET OUT" message when it comes to fire. Five-year-olds,  and even younger understand that fire is dangerous and life threatening and should be avoided.  Tell them, and show them, how to get out of their own bedrooms in case of fire. Show them it's ok to yell and scream when there is a fire and to NEVER EVER, under any circumstances hide when there is a fire. GET OUT is the only acceptable answer.

Older kids have questions and more sophisticated concerns. With them, listen and explore their fears and provide them with the most accurate, truthful, appropriate answers. My oldest child wanted to know exactly where we would go, and what we would do for clothes and food. I went over a detailed plan and explained how even if we had no clothes, Grandma would go out and get something immediately. (So we wouldn't have to go to a store in our pajamas.)  My child didn't ask once about toys or keepsakes. Even children know instinctively what their basic needs are.

(I'll blog about fire safety, clutter and fire hazards another day.)

Schools and local fire departments go over fire safety education for our children. But it is critical you personalize it and map it out, and walk through it in your own home. Every home and layout is different. Identify all possible escape routes.  Practice! Blow a whistle, or test your smoke alarm. Then GET OUT. Where is your meeting place? Who is the closest neighbor you can go to for help?  You know the drill. Make sure your kids know it too!

What are you saving for?

Time to check in... how did February go? Did you take the 20% reduction challenge? Did you reduce your spending? Were you able to go through your clothes and other belongings and find things to donate?

I practice what I preach and am pleased to report that we did indeed cut spending by at least 20% in February. No new clothes or shoes came into our house. We didn't buy any gifts or random "wants" in February either. We stuck to our goals and no one is any worse for it.

Groceries were down only about 15%. However, we nearly cut out our eating-out budget all together. (One night we had Chinese food after out of town hockey games.) We even skipped take-out with the grandparents and instead bought a big family size lasagna at the grocery store once, and made ribs in the crock pot the other time.

Now I did have Starbucks three times in February. There has to be some small rewards. Two of those times came off a gift card I had previously received, so I don't even count them. LOL.

Most importantly, to me, I got through that laundry pile and managed to donate 7 boxes of clothing to the second hand store. I did keep the very best of the kids' clothes for a friend.  The best part about this "chore" is a genuine reduction in laundry. The way I look at it, my kids only wear about 6 different shirts and 4 pairs of pants right now anyway, why do they need 30 that they "sort of like" or are old, in their closet to choose from? With fewer clothes in the house, we have to do laundry more frequently but that's actually a good thing. It doesn't pile up and make a big headache or mess.

A reduction in "stuff" and a reduction in bills is fantastic. But ultimately, what are you saving and what are you saving for?  When it comes to laundry, you can be certain that less laundry means less water used and less detergent. It also means less personal time and stress on that chore. It can free up more time for cooking, or baking or enjoying outdoor activities.

Financially, I'm saving for vacations and to put together a better rainy-day fund than currently exists.  I'm also teaching my kids to value their money and to spend it after careful consideration. If it takes "chores" (for them) to earn money (allowance) then they understand better that what they spend that money on better be worth it.  And kids learn a lot when you make them an active participant in grocery shopping. When I tell them they can spend $5 on snacks, you better believe they look at the prices and try to get the most for their money.

On a related note, Bank of Montreal just announced a great deal for kids. For youth under 16 who open up a savings account at Bank of Montreal, in March and April, they will give you $25. You have to put your own $25 in first, and maintain that minimum balance for at least 60 days.  But isn't that a great incentive for your kids? Bank of Montreal will match their first $25 in savings!  Wouldn't that be amazing... to help them watch their savings grow as they do the same?

Here's the link to check it out : Bank of Montreal Kids' Savings Offer