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
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
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?
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?
Friday, March 25, 2011
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!!
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!!
Sunday, March 20, 2011
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.
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.
Friday, March 18, 2011
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.
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.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
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
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
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
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.
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