Travel

Todd and I have been talking about taking a cruise in December of 2011.  Yes, we plan THAT far in advance.  We have been talking about this for months now.  However, the more I think about it, the more I don’t want to go. 

After flying to Florida, I feel like flying is a waste of time and money.  They pretty much take up a whole day, especially if you can’t get a flight straight-through.  Even though we won our trip for free, the flights were $305/person!  Yikes!

So, back to that cruise from Miami to Belize, Cozumel, Roatan, etc.  The price for the cruise was $550/person for a room with a balcony.  That includes meals, water/tea, some entertainment on the ship and NO excursions on the island.  When we were originally talking about it, we were so excited…”What a great deal!”  No…it’s really not if you think about it.

  $1200 for room and board

+$600 in flights

+$400 in excursions

          One very expensive week!

I may be becoming a tight-wad.  In the past, I wouldn’t have thought twice.  I would have chalked it up to “a once in a lifetime experience!”  But now…I see it as my take-home income for a month!

I am so glad that we didn’t book the trip a few months ago.

Todd read somewhere that the best places to visit for couples are places they’ve never been.  But Todd speaks quite fondly of the places he lived and visited while in the Navy, and I’d love to experience them with him.  There are some places I’ve been in the past that I’d love to take Todd to experience with me (Macinac Island, MI & Put-In-Bay, OH which would be a day-trip for us.)  Do you know how many mini-vacations we can take next year for the price of that one week cruise?!? At least 2-3! Maybe even more if we go camping with my dad in 2011!     

So, I think we will trade in our passports this year and do several fun trips throughout the Spring and Summer as we did this year.  I love doing “mini vacations” of 3-4 days because I don’t burn through my 3 weeks all at once as I do with 7-8 day vacations.  Some of the best trips with Todd have been those mini vacations and the “fly by the seat of your pants” excursions we did.  One was a buffalo reserve in either Michigan or Indiana where we got into the back of a truck and rode with the buffalos.  One came right up to us in the back of the truck, it was amazing.  And the smell of the concord grapes in Erie, PA this October is unforgettable.  We had such a great time…and that could easily be a day trip for us again next year.

Great experiences together…that’s what life is all about (in my opinion.)

The Most Expensive "Free Trip" Ever

Todd joked that our trip to Florida last week was “the most expensive free trip ever.”  He was right.  I bet we spent a good $300 while on our trip.  I wish we wouldn’t have spent that much money, but we had a great time.

We have been working so hard on getting debts paid off that he hadn’t gone on any extravagant vacations.  This vacation wasn’t really extravagant, but it was at a nice hotel, and we went to a great football game and tail gate party before hand.  It wasn’t really our type of vacation, though.  There wasn’t much to do in Ft. Lauderdale but sit on the beach and watch the waves, and go to the Boardwalk.  We like to sight-see and experience a city when we go away.  Ft. Lauderdale has none of that.

But, it was nice to get away, meet some new people (professionally and personally,) and get away from the cold! 

Bus

To save money, Todd and I took the local bus in Florida to the airport our last day in Ft. Lauderdale.  By doing so, we saved over $20, and we met a handful of incredible people.  I am not the type of person who is outgoing and can talk to anyone.  If I don’t know someone, I clam up and mind my own business – and I want them to mind their own business.  Todd, on the other hand, will talk to anybody.

While we were on the bus, we talked to several different people.  We got their life stories, and they got ours.  It was a blast talking to several different people at different times on our “bus tour.” 

One gentleman came down to visit his father over 5 years ago, and ended up staying in Florida.  He talked about how he hates living paycheck to paycheck, but he loves it down there in Florida.  It is VERY expensive there.  Restaurants are over-priced, heck, even the WalMart was overpriced compared to Ohio!  A 2-litre of pop was over $2 there. 

Another gentleman we met had his car in the shop, which is why he was riding the bus.  He pays $1700/month in rent for his apartment on the beach.  Todd and I looked at each other with large eyes.  We pay 1/6^th of that for our MORTGAGE.  But the gentleman insisted that it was a good price for an apartment on the beach.

Another woman (with no teeth, mind you,) was talking about how she works with the homeless.  She was telling us stories about the people she works with.  It was quite inspiring.

Each of these people, I would never have said “hello” to if passing on the street.  To be honest, I judged them a little too harshly upon first glance.  I think that if Todd and I were to live in Ft. Lauderdale, we’d be friends with each and every one of these people.  They were so nice, so generous, and just left a smile on my face.  When each of them got off of the bus, they would wave to us and wish us well on our “journey” back home.

The world is made up of some truly incredible people…if only we would take the initiative and time to let them tell their story.  Oh, and in my case, if only I can do better not to judge.  I judged them before I even knew them without even realizing it.

Four Seasons

While we were in Florida last week, it was a little different.  You couldn’t really tell that Christmas was coming.  Everything was green and bright, flowers blooming, palm trees waving in the wind.  The temperatures were in the 70’s.  Comfortable, but not too hot.  It was mentioned in a conversation how there really are no seasons in Florida.  That is one thing I would definitely miss if we were to ever move to Florida.

I enjoy all of the seasons.  I love the snow for the Holidays, the new bulbs emerging from the ground in April, the beautiful green leaves and the heat in the Summer, and then the fall colors in October and November. 

I don’t like being cold, but I like being outside and seeing all of the “white stuff” on the ground.  I especially used to love skiing.  I would love to do it again; however, it’s a bit out of our price range right now.

I also don’t like being too hot.  So, can you tell I’m REALLY easy to please? J  I think that’s why I need all four seasons.  I get a little bit of everything every year, and I love it.

We Are In Hollywood, FL

We made it to Hollywood, FL very late last night.  After nearly a full day of traveling, we got to the hotel around 9:30 and we were hungry.  We decided to go scope things out around the hotel.  We found the WalMart, a Burger King, and a great Cuban restaurant.  Neither Todd nor I had ever had Cuban.  Our waitress was great, giving us meals that were traditional Cuban meals.  We had plantains (spelling?), yuka, rice and beans.  The food was GREAT!

The hotel is absolutely beautiful.  However, we have had more problems here than we have EVER had at the $70/night hotels we've been to.  There is NO WiFi!  We are plugged into the ethernet right now, and it's just inconvenient.  Every room was supposed to have a hairdryer - ours didnt.  The "plush robes," that were listed online...you get one.  So we BOTh cant wear robes down to the pool and hot tub.  It's just things like this that are a bit irritating. 

I feel completely out of place in this hotel and uncomfortable.  People walk around in business attire and Todd and I wear our jeans and shirts.  I feel very on edge here.  All of this just goes to show that we are NOT "high-class" people.  I really AM more happy in the cheap, more "lived in" hotels. 

Right now, Todd is making breakfast.  Everything here is expensive.  We spent nearly $15 on breakfast foods here.  Bagels, egg beaters, ham, cheese and OJ.  We have enough for each of us to have one ham,egg & cheese bagel a day until departure.  The cheapest thing here is REAL OJ!  Florida, OJ! :-)  That was less than $2.  Everything else was nearly $3 or more.  Oy!

Todd woke up in the middle of the night and thirsty.  There is only ONE vending machine on the 6th floor.  $2 for a drink.  SO...we went to Seven11 this morning on our walk and bought 2 - 2 litres for $3.

I was out cold last night.  We didnt get back to the hotel until 11:30 after eating the Cuban food and going to WalMart.  He woke me up at 6:30 and asked if I wanted to go to the beach to watch the sun rise.  I threw on some clothes and we went walking.  It was really nice.  I love the ocean and the beach. 

It's 7:45 and the sun is shining, and the palm trees are gorgeous.  We have to meet with the professionals this morning in the lobby at 10.  We had a hair dryer delivered to the room because ours was missing, and I am still exhausted from everything.  I think we're going to relax a bit before our meeting this morning, and then we are going to be out and about all day seeing what Hollywood, FL has to offer.

Again, I'm so glad we got this trip for free...because we wouldnt be able to enjoy it on our own on our budget.  There is just no way.

Pictures to come at a later date!

We're Packed and Ready to Go!

This morning, Todd and I were up early.  I neglected to pack my bag for Florida this weekend, so I decided to do it this morning.  I had a pile on the dresser that needed to be folded and put into the backpack. I was looking at the clothing and the backpack, and I was getting a little nervous.  How in the world would it all fit?  Well, low and behold, it fit!!! WITH ROOM TO SPARE!  And it is so light.  It’s great!  I was dancing around the bedroom with excitement…and I was (and still am) proud of myself for going “bare bones” on this trip.

All of the paperwork is printed for the parking deck, the itinerary, our passports are in my bag, and I have printed brochures of the local trolley schedule and maps in Florida.  The weather looks like it will be nice (upper 70’s) the whole time we are there.

The only thing left is to write out my “Squig-structions,” (Squiggy Instructions) which have now turned out to be “farm-structions” since getting all these additional animals.  Our neighbor is going to feed the “granimals” as we call them.  We have a pig-sitter that we love, but she lives a few minutes down the road.  The neighbor works construction, so he is up early and home early…not to mention work is getting slow for him right about now with the weather.  Plus, he’s known all the animals since we got them as a piglet/puppy/kitten.  We met them because Squiggy ran away and we always found them in their yard eating the birdseed off of the ground from their birdhouses. Squiggy is the only reason we know as many neighbors as we do! 

Travel

As I mentioned in a Wordless Wednesday a few weeks back, I was informed that I can go on a trip that the company won to Florida.  Originally, my Manager (the President of the company) wanted to go with me (can you say, awkward?), but luckily, he agreed to let Todd go with me. 

So, we have been getting ready.

Even though most of the expenses are paid, we are going to be out of pocket a little bit.  They are providing $100 in “spending money” to cover these types of expenses.  That being said, we are trying to minimize our costs as much as possible.

Our flights are free to us (that was over $300/person after taxes!) but we have to pay for parking at the airport and a shuttle to the hotel from Ft. Lauderdale (about $25.)  It would be $55 to park at Cleveland Hopkins airport; however, I found a Park ‘n Fly that would be $23 AND we get a free car wash.  My little car desperately needs it!

When we get to Ft. Lauderdale, we found an adorable old-time trolley that will pick us up at the hotel and take us to several different stops to sight-see.  It is $1/person per ride.  Not bad.  A lot cheaper than renting a car.  Plus, the 6-mile boardwalk is across the street from our hotel.  I cant wait to spend evenings with Todd on the boardwalk or sitting on the beach watching the waves.

We pretty much have Saturday as a “free day” to do what we want.  Also, our flights aren’t leaving until later on Monday, so we have most of the morning and early afternoon to frolic around and do as we please. 

Sunday, we will be picked up by a bus to go to the stadium for a tail-gate party before the actual football game.  Todd is really excited about this.  However, this is where I will be meeting a lot of the people I have talked to over the past 3 years.  For me, it is more professional than a big football game.

Todd and I love to travel.  When we go someplace, we want to see all there is to see.  We are not the type that likes to go to the same place over and over again.  We enjoy new experiences and making new memories everywhere we go.  We are going to maximize our stay in Hollywood, FL as much as we can…on someone else’s dime.  Well, that’s not true.  I will receive a 1099 at the end of the year and we will pay taxes on the trip.  But I would much rather pay $500 for a 4-day trip than $2,000, which is what it is probably going to cost the company for this trip!  I am so lucky to have a husband who likes to do the same things as I do!  I couldn’t imagine being in a relationship with someone who doesn’t like to travel or sight-see.  We are definitely those dorky “touristy” type people! Camera around my neck, map in my hands, and walking shoes on! 

$100 Weekend

So...the question is...were we able to stay within budget this 3-day weekend away?

We were over by $1 on food/entertainment.

What wasnt included in the $100:
$12 in produce we purchased (concord grapes, 52 lbs of apples, and a pumpkin)
Gasoline of $34
Approximately $100 in wine (9 bottles of fantastic wine - one of them being an ice wine.  We will be good with wine until we make a batch or two of our own next year.)

I know many would not consider this being "within budget," but it's good enough for us. :-)
We have paid over $2,000 on Todd's vehicle this month, so we are well on our way.  We need to live a little...and that's what we did with the wine purchases.

We Are Out of Town!

Todd and I are leaving this morning to go to upstate New York for my cousin's wedding. We decided that I would take Friday off (Todd had off Fri,Sat & Sun from work anyways), and we'd make a 3-day weekend out of it!

Last year, due to being sick, I missed the leaves change, so this year will be that much better!  We decided that we will drive up through Pennsylvania and hit the "wine trail" along with a lighthouse and stay the night about 2 or 3 hours away.  Then, oh Saturday, we will go to the town where the wedding is and check in there for the night.

I cant wait to see all my family (except my brother who is a Marine in Afghanistan right now, and my cousin who is in the Army stationed in Alaska).  I am hoping to post lots of pictures when we get back.  Be prepared! :-)

***I wrote this on Wednesday evening.  It is now Thursday evening and everything has changed.  I got a call from my stepmother that my father was admitted to the hospital this evening for a massive blood clot in his leg.  He wants us to go to NY for the wedding, but I am nervous (and worried) to go.  I called my mom (who was a Medical Assistant and is married to a doctor), and she said I should go.  He is in the best place right now and being monitored.  It was a blessing that he didnt get in the car and drive the 3 1/2 hours up to New York and THEN something horrible happen (stroke, blood clot in his lung, etc.)  But my mind is not at ease.  Mom says that even if we stayed home this weekend, we are an hour away.  If anything were to happen, it would be too late to get down to Akron.  I'm torn.