Our new luggage

Filed Under Avon, Travel | 4 Comments

Jonathon and I never had nice luggage. When we got married, we kind of didn’t even think about the fact that we would need a luggage set for our honeymoon. He had a suitcase and a garment bag, and I had a suitcase. So my parents gave us their old luggage. And I mean OLD. It was like that tweedy-brown stuff that was popular in the mid to late 90s. Also, it had a strap you could pull it with but when you pulled it, it tipped over. Which is apparently why my parents replaced it.

Anyway, each vacation we’ve gone on, we said we would get new stuff. I finally put it on a garage sale we had a while back and got like $15 for it. I was glad to be rid of it… then we realized that once again we were about to go on vacation and we didn’t have luggage. And I refuse to use Jonathon’s big green monster suitcase. So I shopped for luggage online and figured out Kohl’s had the best prices. I waited until it was on sale and we got a nice charcoal gray set for a good price. It’s not super quality or brand name, but we only take vacation like once a year anyway.

Here is our new set:

I didn’t want to get black because EVERYONE has black luggage. I also got some new luggage tags from Avon because I thought they’d make our stuff easier to spot… and cuz they’re cute…

Another In-law rant

Filed Under Complaining, In-Laws, Travel | 5 Comments

So you know how my in-laws drive me absolutely up the freaking wall. Well the latest is that they decided we are NOT going to stay at their timeshare in Branson over Thanksgiving. They wanted to get a one bedroom condo for the five of us and told us that if we wanted our own bedroom we could pay extra, otherwise their was a pull out couch. Right. (By the way, if you don’t know a whole lot about how timeshares really work, read that Wikipedia link- it’s actually really interesting!)

So then they decided that they would come here over Christmas. I told them they could not come actually ON Christmas Eve or Christmas day because we were spending those with my family this year (we alternate years). They said they were going to stay at our house and Jonathon’s brother was coming too. Well we live in a split level and there isn’t really a “guest bedroom” since we made the fourth bedroom into Jonathon’s office, and the third bedroom is my office/Avon sorting area. I told them that was too many people to sleep out in our living room and would just not work well with Bailey playing in the living room and with her sleep schedule and whatnot. So they pouted and decided they weren’t coming.

Then Jonathon’s brother was trying to convince them to look at priceline.com or one of those other travel sites. There are only like a million websites to compare hotel costs and seriously if you want to go cheap, there’s a Days Inn and a Motel 6 about twenty minutes from here. They leave the light on. The only thing I told them was, if they use one of these services to make sure to use one where you know what hotel you will be staying in before you make the final reservation. I would be nervous just choosing a category of hotels and then letting them decide based on the price I submitted. Anyway, apparently that was not a good solution for them either.

The latest? They are going to buy a pop up camper so that they can save money when they travel. You know, because it’s always best to spend over $10,000 in order to save money on hotels. When you travel twice a year. And have already purchased a timeshare that was NEVER used. Stay tuned to find out what will actually happen if or when they visit.

Yes, we really ARE going

Filed Under Frugal, Future, Travel | 8 Comments

To Disney World. This fall. Without Bailey. I know, I know… who goes to Disney World without their kids? A mom and dad who need a break, that’s who! I love Disney World and haven’t been in years. Jonathon has only been for a day or two while passing through Florida from Haiti. We always do beach vacations but we were having a dilemma of where to go, since the Caribbean area has hurricane issues in the fall and Mexico is so hot that time of year. I know Florida might be rainy but typically in September it rains for about an hour a day, from what I remember from our vacations. Plus that is a less expensive time for Disney, and it’s less crowded because the kids are back in school!

Bailey will stay with my parents, at our house and she will love the time with them. Plus, toting a 17 month old around a theme park is not my idea of fun. We’d have to go back to the room every day for her nap, and she couldn’t do any rides yet. And lines? She’d lose it in line for a ride!

I am not going to disclose the details like our hotel name until we get back- but I will say that we did an “all-inclusive” vacation package. Airfare, transportation to/from airport and also from our resort to all the Disney parks, a six day Magic Kingdom (and Epcot and Universal) pass, and a Disney dining plan where we get two meals (one table service and one quick serve) and a snack each day, for each of us! The meal plan was free with the current special package. And we are in a Disney resort, so even though I have never been to this particular one, I know it will be well done and an enjoyable stay. Also, we got this all for an amazing price. I love finding vacation deals!

Wordless Wednesday- Guess where we are going!

Filed Under Travel, Wordless Wednesday | 9 Comments

Obsessed

Filed Under Being a Mom, Thoughts, Travel | 4 Comments

I need help. Someone please force me to stop looking at vacation packages online. Tonight I almost booked the three of us a lovely trip to Disney World this fall. Until Jonathon reminded me that Bailey couldn’t go on any rides, and one of us would be stuck holding her on a bench while the other did the rides. Yeah, that sucks. So then I fantasized about leaving Bailey behind with my parents as Jonathon and I took a five or so night trip to somewhere sunny.

Problem is, mid summer is not ideal for Mexico. Fall is even worse. And Caribbean in the fall? Forget it. I think we might just look ahead and book something for LATE fall, later on. If we could leave, you know, on Friday we could get an amazing deal. I’m ready to pack us up and go. I wonder if Jonathon could abandon his job at short notice. If not, I could go alone. Right? Right? Tell me I’m not crazy to want to pack my bags and go to Mexico alone. Who would I hang out with? The fat hairy guy at the swim up bar? It’s not like I can chat up the bartender, he won’t speak much English.

Yeah, I might need a companion. That sucks. Anyone want to go on a last minute vacation with me? Or have me come visit you in another city? Or meet me somewhere in another city for a weekend? I think I just need out of here, I need a break from mamamamamamama all the time. Did I mention Bailey bit my toe today? Really hard. And she has decided not to listen to me, at all. We need a little break from each other. I love her, but I will love her more after I don’t see her for a few days. Absence making the heart grow fonder, and all that.

The Wedding- last weekend

Filed Under Eleven Months, Family, Travel, Weddings | 3 Comments

Here are some pictures from the wedding we went to in Nashville last weekend. The drive was about six hours, so it was much better than the drive to Oklahoma but it still had its moments. Thankfully, on the way home Bailey slept most of the way, except for maybe an hour or so.

When we got into Nashville we went straight to the rehearsal dinner, which was at Buca di Beppo (which I guess is a chain of Italian restaurants but I hadn’t heard of it before). The food was all served family style so that was kind of fun. We sat at a table with Jonathon’s parents and his Aunt Grace and Uncle Marvin. We had a nice time at the dinner and then afterwards we went to the church for the rehearsal. I had never been to a rehearsal where the dinner was before the church part. But Bailey had a great time running up and down the aisles as fast as possible. They slanted downward toward the front of the church so she would get going faster and faster and then crash. She also liked chasing after the two flower girls, who were amused by her at first and then I think they got annoyed.

Saturday morning, Jonathon drove me around Nashville to show me where he used to work and live and stuff like that. We let Bailey take her morning nap in the car since we weren’t sure how it would work at the hotel. Also we found Cadbury eggs on clearance for 12 cents each at Walgreens! Then we went back and got ready for the wedding (and I had to iron all our clothes!) and headed to the church. It was raining and the parking lot was so full by the time we got there, so Jonathon dropped us off and then met us inside later. Bailey made it through the wedding long enough to see the bride come in and then for about three minutes after that. I spent the rest of the time wandering the church with her and then I found the nursery and took her in there to play.

The reception was at the church right after the ceremony. It was really the first “cake and punch” reception I had ever been to. They had all kinds of hors d’oeuvres and desserts and stuff too. Here are some pictures of the bride and groom, and then everyone at our table (Jonathon’s parents, aunt, uncle, cousins).

Once again, Bailey had a great time running around. She helped rearrange some chairs and also tried to get everyone’s attention. She got lots of compliments. She was a very good baby all day and I was so impressed. Especially since she completely missed her afternoon nap!

That night met up in the groom’s parents hotel room for leftovers (from the rehearsal dinner) and to visit with Jonathon’s family. They are all so normal, except for his parents. They really sat there and didn’t say much the whole time. I wonder if they feel like they don’t fit in, or if they just don’t have anything to say. Sunday morning we were going to spend more time at Opryland but we were just kind of anxious to get on the road and get home. Plus we thought that way Bailey would take her morning nap in the car instead of at The Grand Ole Opry!

Vacation Bug

Filed Under Travel | 2 Comments

Once again, I have the vacation bug. It usually happens around this time every year. Only it is usually remedied by booking a vacation. I have even fantasized about bringing Bailey to an all-inclusive resort with us or to hotels Las Vegas but I know that would be absolutely ridiculous and un-relaxing for all of us. Sometimes I just miss being able to pick up and do whatever we want. Oh and did I mention having the money to do what we want? But I wouldn’t trade it.

I’ll post pictures soon

Filed Under Holidays, Home Sweet Home, In-Laws, Travel | 5 Comments

from our horrible trip

Today and tonight I have been running around trying to get things ready for our “real” Christmas celebration at my parents’ house tomorrow. I had a few things left to wrap, and I have been trying to unpack and get the endless loads of laundry done from our trip. Our downstairs is still a mess and I feel like I haven’t gotten a whole lot done. I took Bailey to my parents house to play for a little bit because they couldn’t wait to see her. I listed a bunch of stuff on eBay tonight.

Jonathon has been talking about what he is going to do with the Best Buy giftcard from his brother. He really wants to get some sort of flat panel tv for downstairs. He also wants a plasma mount thing to put it on the wall. I told him we should at least get it carpeted before we worry about stuff like that.

Big news: WE ARE GETTING CARPET FOR THE DOWNSTAIRS ON TUESDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Quick post

Filed Under Complaining, Eight Months, In-Laws, Travel | 8 Comments

I am dealing with dial-up and a crappy computer here, but I just wanted to post and say that we are still alive. I can’t WAIT to come home! Our visit has been okay- not as bad as in years past but I am sick of people pawing Bailey constantly and his mother never leaving me alone. She has been napping and going to bed just fine here in her pack n play, but she has been getting up a lot earlier (and we don’t want to let her fuss too long since there’s a house full of people) so we are very tired. I am just looking forward to being home and having “real” Christmas with my family on the 30th.

I will have to tell you all the comical and miserable details of this trip later. I will just leave you with a few kickers. First, MIL got Bailey a USED tube of diaper cream for while we were here. Second, they keep trying to drive off before her carseat is buckled. The other day we had to take her coat off to fit the straps, and FIL was like, she doesn’t need them, just hold her in. He was dead serious. Third, MIL walked in on me while I was peeing and just kept talking to me. Remember how last summer she walked in on me pumping? They have a serious knocking on doors before opening problem here.

Heads Carolina, Tails California

Filed Under Travel | 1 Comment

Looking at some beach homes for rent on the outer banks of North Carolina… makes me wonder when we will get our next vacation. I don’t want to go when Bailey is too young, but I don’t really want to leave her, either. I am thinking maybe next spring (Jonathon gets two weeks for spring break from work) or summer we could try a short trip to the beach. If we could get my parents to go that would be awesome, then maybe they would kind of alternate hanging out with Bailey My, how things have changed.

This part of my life is over, maybe

Filed Under Pregnancy, Thoughts, Travel | 1 Comment

Sometimes I get sappy about things that were supposed to happen or could have happened before, but now that we have Bailey they won’t happen. Like I always thought we would take a trip to Europe before we had kids. We got pregnant much faster than I expected (and if you really care, YES we were trying but we thought it would take longer than it did for a variety of reasons). I LOVE LOVE LOVE to travel, and I want to travel more. Last fall we had a trip planned for Las Vegas. I mean it was actually booked and everything, for this same weekend last year. I was in my first trimester of my pregnancy in September, and I was exhausted. I could not fathom going on a vacation or being in casinos near smoke. I knew I would not be able to have anything to drink- okay not that I’m a drunk, but seriously, what’s Vegas without a few drinks here and there? Anyway we ended up cancelling our trip and we were only out $100… but sometimes I regret that. I wish we would have had the extra cash to take a nice vacation when I was like five months along. I wish we had the cash now. I would take Bailey with us and then pay a nanny to watch her so we could go out at night sometimes or relax by the pool Yeah, dream on. I just don’t want to think that part of my life is completely over. I guess it’s just “put on hold” for a while, really. Anyway, it’s too late and I’m rambling.

Contest for free Raleigh, NC getaway

Filed Under Frugal, Sponsored, Travel | Leave a Comment

I realized I have been slacking at posting coupon links and contests and stuff on my blogs like I have in the past… so hopefully this makes up for it. This looks like a pretty good one! Jonathon and I are trying to figure out how we are going to afford to take a little trip this fall. I have been checking out all the discount travel sites and stuff like that- but so far nothing has really piqued our interest a whole lot except for this one.

There are a lot of romantic weekend type packages and activities in Raleigh, NC. I was surprised when I started checking to see what was available. Lots of cool dining stuff, Broadway shows, spas, a ballet… as well as some fun shopping places, Diwali festival, and amusement parks and that kind of stuff too.

You can enter to win a free Raleigh getaway which includes:
-One night accommodations for two at the Courtyard by Marriott Raleigh Crabtree Valley
-$25 gift certificate to Bloomsbury Bistro
-Free VIP admission for two to Rum Runners
-2 tickets to the North Carolina Theatre
-2 tickets to the N.C. Museum of Art’s Landscapes from the Age of Impressionism
-2 tickets to Dinosaurs: Ancient Fossils, New Discoveries at the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences

Anyway I have entered the contest, and it would be nice if Jonathon and actually won one of the trips and could use this as our fall getaway! There are nine trips available to win- so you should enter, too

Can’t Wait To Take Bailey HERE

Filed Under Input Needed, Travel | 5 Comments

Disney World. That has been my favorite vacation place since I was six. Well, I have to admit I haven’t been there lately, but I used to love it. I wanted to go there a year or two ago and Jonathon insisted that we wait until we have kids to take. I was like, “No, it won’t be as fun…” but now I can’t wait to be able to take Bailey there and show her everything. I’m sure a lot has changed but some of my favorites were Space Mountain, It’s a Small World, and the Jungle Cruise ride. Oh, and MR Toad’s Wild Ride, because it looked like a train was going to crash into your car. And the Peter Pan ride… I could go on and on. I wouldn’t mind getting an Orlando vacation home so I could go there whenever I wanted!

Anyone been there lately? Tell me your stories and make me jealous!

I have even kind of been playing around looking at tickets for Disney. There seem to be some pretty good deals out there. We would definitely want to stay at a Disney hotel (last time I was there we stayed at the Caribbean Beach Resort) and go to The Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Universal Studios. I know there are tickets called Magic My Way where you can get deals on all the theme parks together. I have also found some cheap Universal Studios tickets.

I know Bailey is too little to do it yet, but here is my question- if you have taken your kids to Disney, how old were they and was it a good age for your trip?

Vacation Time

Filed Under PPP, Travel | Leave a Comment

I am really wishing we could go on a vacation sometime soon. Not that I want to leave Bailey, but our goal was to take a vacation at least once a year. Last year, we did well and made it to Canada, Mexico, Memphis, and probably somewhere else that I’m forgetting. This year, so far we have gone nowhere. Our friends Jen and Aaron are going to Punta Cana next month and I’m slightly jealous.

Part of the problem is that I am now officially a stay at home mom, so I’m thinking we don’t have a lot of extra money for vacations right now… at least until we figure out what our money situation is going to be like. The only time we have really been on one income before was last summer for a few months while I was off work.

I have still been browsing web sites and trying to find good vacation deals to see if it’s possible. I have been looking at Cheap Hotels and they guarantee the lowest rates. You can book hotels, airfare, and cars from there. It is really tempting to splurge and just book a “mini vacation” but I think I would be in trouble if I did that today, considering that it is my first official day knowing that I’m not going back to work!

I think our first real opportunity to take a vacation will be this fall. My mom offered to watch Bailey for a long weekend or even a week while we take a trip. I wanted our next vacation to be to the Dominican, but I’m not sure that’s in the budget right now. We might be looking at something more like Vegas or Florida Of course I always appreciate input on cheap vacation ideas. Not a big fan of road trips or driving, but I will do it if it’s not too far and can save us a lot of money.