Oh well, I'm finally back from vacation at my favorite Little Red Cottage.
It was, as usual, beautiful & restful. We had such a good time that I'm a little sad to be home. (we got home before the weekend and I have some nice posts from this past weekend as well)
It's hard to get back into the swing of things after a nice vacation, blogging is no exception.
My teeth are all still with me, my car works and I even found my cell phone. Ah life is good. It's amazing what a little R & R can do for you. Up there I always feel like I can breathe. And relax. I swear some mornings, having coffee on that little porch is like a good massage. We picked blackberries in the field one morning that we had for breakfast with blackberry peach french toast. You know I was in heaven! That little town holds such a nice feeling for me.
However, I'm left with the same questions I always have after vacation.
1) Why do I live where I live? (I do, in fact, have a house that I love, but I have a few issues with the locale)
2) Do I need to live in such a big house? (my house is 2200 sq ft, certainly not a behemouth.)
3) Why on earth do I have so many dishes?
4) Is my happiness at the little red cottage based on the fact that life is simple there (after all, I AM on vacation) or does it have something to do with the surroundings? The smaller living space? Wide open fields and breezes off the water?
5) How small is too small? At what point does the size of your home start to impede on happy family life? My last home was somewhere around 1700 sq ft-That was also a fine size. My daughter was also a baby. Is 1700 Sq ft a nice size for a teenager?
6) What impact does moving out to the country have on your child's sociability? I will tell you that the family that we rent the cottage from have 3 lovely lovely children. However, there are 3 of them. My child is an only child and we have no plans to change that.
While I have no plans to move to northern New York I do feel so much better with some wide open fields around me and a big sky above me.
I need to find that here.
Showing posts with label Travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Travel. Show all posts
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Vacation Musings & A Stranger on the Plane
I'm back from a week long trip to Florida. Did you even know I was gone? I found a feature on the blog setup page that enabled me to schedule all of the posts for last week. Neat huh?
Like the rest of the country, Florida was unseasonably cold last week which curtailed many of our usual activities. We hardly spent any time at the pool and when we went to our favorite park, the spray part was completely unused. Our trip to the beach was nice but we all wore hooded sweatshirts. Still, an afternoon walking in the ocean surf looking for shells while drinking an Earl Grey Latte from Starbucks (my non-coffee favorite there) still beats snow shoveling (ok, I actually don't shovel snow often but you get the picture.) We got a visitor's library card, spent time at the awesome park, went to the farmers market, found a new breakfast place, First Watch, courtesy of my friend Karley, explored Naples at night and ate at The Mangove Cafe. All was well. I can pretty much have fun anytime I get a chance to go somewhere else. (I used to love going on business trips, even if I was alone. ) Anyhow, I caught a terrible cold there and the pressure in my ears was so bad landing on our first flight yesterday that I was rendered half deaf for most of the day. That combined with my child's speech impediment made communication between the two of us nearly impossible.
After a 2 1/2 hour flight we had a 3 hour layover at JFK. Finally they called us to board. Because we have a child I always board when they say people with children can board. Not because we need to do that because of her mind you, but because I like to get settled in my seat quickly with a book. I don't mind flying too much but I try and read to ignore the fact that I'm taking off, landing or hurtling through the air at however many miles an hour however many feet above ground. The denial usually helps me manage my fear.
There were only 2 seats per side so Iopted won the bid, to sit alone in peace and quiet (having used the "I can't hear anything our child is saying" argument.") However, I was unable to get my book out fast enough before my fellow traveler arrived. He said hello and asked how I was and how my trip was and where I had been. ("Damn" I thought, "a chatty one"...) Now, I like to consider myself a friendly gal but I'm really NOT the one who wants to chat up strangers on a plane. I really just want to read. But this man was having none of that. I felt compelled to ask him where he had been. He whipped out his CAMERA and when he turned it on I could sense my husband's amused grin at the irony of my quiet reading time evaporating.
It turned out that this man is a physician who had spent the whole week in the Dominican Republic traveling to different villages and treating people in a makeshift doctor's office that they would set up in schools. He slept in bunk houses and ate local foods. The thing about him was, that he was completely GLOWING from the experience of the whole thing. It was his first time doing something like this and he had volunteered on a whim. He said if he thought too much about it he would have backed out. He has a private practice and a wife and 16 year old daughter. He was a pretty normal looking, unassuming guy. He didn't look like a risk taker to me. BUT, He LOVED it. He's going next year. It was inspiring. And it was inspiring not just because of his contribution, but because he pushed himself out of his comfort level and challenged himself. And he was changed because of it. And happy. And proud.
We spoke the entire flight. He was a very engaging man with a kind exterior. He asked me real questions about myself and was really interested in my answers. He kept apologizing for telling me about his trip but the man was practically bursting to share this with someone.
I'm glad I got to be that person for a little while.
Like the rest of the country, Florida was unseasonably cold last week which curtailed many of our usual activities. We hardly spent any time at the pool and when we went to our favorite park, the spray part was completely unused. Our trip to the beach was nice but we all wore hooded sweatshirts. Still, an afternoon walking in the ocean surf looking for shells while drinking an Earl Grey Latte from Starbucks (my non-coffee favorite there) still beats snow shoveling (ok, I actually don't shovel snow often but you get the picture.) We got a visitor's library card, spent time at the awesome park, went to the farmers market, found a new breakfast place, First Watch, courtesy of my friend Karley, explored Naples at night and ate at The Mangove Cafe. All was well. I can pretty much have fun anytime I get a chance to go somewhere else. (I used to love going on business trips, even if I was alone. ) Anyhow, I caught a terrible cold there and the pressure in my ears was so bad landing on our first flight yesterday that I was rendered half deaf for most of the day. That combined with my child's speech impediment made communication between the two of us nearly impossible. After a 2 1/2 hour flight we had a 3 hour layover at JFK. Finally they called us to board. Because we have a child I always board when they say people with children can board. Not because we need to do that because of her mind you, but because I like to get settled in my seat quickly with a book. I don't mind flying too much but I try and read to ignore the fact that I'm taking off, landing or hurtling through the air at however many miles an hour however many feet above ground. The denial usually helps me manage my fear.
There were only 2 seats per side so I
It turned out that this man is a physician who had spent the whole week in the Dominican Republic traveling to different villages and treating people in a makeshift doctor's office that they would set up in schools. He slept in bunk houses and ate local foods. The thing about him was, that he was completely GLOWING from the experience of the whole thing. It was his first time doing something like this and he had volunteered on a whim. He said if he thought too much about it he would have backed out. He has a private practice and a wife and 16 year old daughter. He was a pretty normal looking, unassuming guy. He didn't look like a risk taker to me. BUT, He LOVED it. He's going next year. It was inspiring. And it was inspiring not just because of his contribution, but because he pushed himself out of his comfort level and challenged himself. And he was changed because of it. And happy. And proud.
We spoke the entire flight. He was a very engaging man with a kind exterior. He asked me real questions about myself and was really interested in my answers. He kept apologizing for telling me about his trip but the man was practically bursting to share this with someone.
I'm glad I got to be that person for a little while.
Monday, August 25, 2008
I Go On Vacation More Than My Dentist
Paul recently noted that I’m on vacation all the time. I’m not really but the day I left for this vacation by the water I had an emergency dental appointment that was none too pleasant. To distract me, the dentist talked a lot-The Olympics, Michael Phelps daily dietary requirements and my vacation. He asked how long I was going for and was absolutely SHOCKED when I said 2 weeks.
He then proceeded to ask if I go on any other vacations during the year. I went to
I imagine my dentist makes more than my husband. And he’s his own boss. Why on earth can this guy only take off 3 or 4 days a few times a year?
How is it that I am able to take more vacations than my dentist? Let me tell you.
Obviously having a husband with the whole summer off is plus and grants you the ability to do a lot of things you would not otherwise be able to do. Last summer I decided that even if we didn’t have a lot of extra cash, we do have time and we should really use that to our advantage. I like to be places and see stuff and didn’t want lack of a lot of vacation money stop me!
We also
Go on cheap vacations. I love this little cottage we are in but seriously, these are not plush accommodations.
Stay with family. I’ve been to
Take advantage of free offers from others. If invited to a free night at a casino we’re going even though we don’t gamble. We left our daughter with my parents, stayed in a nice hotel and took advantage of the pool (which hardly anyone does at a casino so we had a nice quality place almost all to ourselves) How nice is an evening away where someone else pays for your meal and you don’t have to make the bed. I can have fun just about anywhere!
Don’t eat out a lot. (Trust me, I LOVE to eat out!)
Don’t buy a lot of stuff on the actual vacation.
Pack a lot of picnics (So far on this vacation we’ve picnicked at the lighthouse and had a dinner picnic while fishing on the dock here)
See a lot of free things. Museums, Piers, Parks, Gardens, and Wineries (even a fish hatchery this vacation!
Look for a lot of low cost things. We have a zoo pass and noticed that the zoo up here has a reciprocal agreement-guess where we are going on Wed!
We spend time together just exploring
We like little things. Today we went swimming at a local beach and then stopped at a local produce stand. It was enough of a morning for me to be having a good time.
We actually have a library card for the town we are in and go there a few times during our stay.
I understand that not everyone wants this kind of vacation, I get that. Trust me, I’ve been to the Waldorf and would like to stay there again. I’ve had really expensive meals and I really enjoy them. Sometimes when you go on vacation you want to be pampered and not worry about the cost. But for me, now, the cost IS a factor. When I started this blog I noted that sometimes you have money and sometimes you have time. I have time and I’m making the most of it without a lot of cash!
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
On Vacation!
Hi all,
I haven't fell into a spending frenzy somewhere! I'm off on vacation! Check back though because I'll probably highlight some of the frugal fun we've been up to!
Christine
I haven't fell into a spending frenzy somewhere! I'm off on vacation! Check back though because I'll probably highlight some of the frugal fun we've been up to!
Christine
Monday, July 14, 2008
It Doesn't Hurt To Ask
On the way home from vacation, we stopped at a Hawthorn Suites Hotel in Ohio so that I could visit a wholesaler. When I called to make the reservation, the rooms were $124 a night.With our AAA discount, the rooms were $111.
I've read a lot of frugality books and they always say to just ask for a cheaper rate. I figure when they tell me a rate, that is pretty much the rate. I went out on a limb with the $111 room though and said,
"Can you give me that room any cheaper?"
She said "I can give you the funeral rate for $94."
"Ok."
I didn't question the funeral rate. I didn't say anything about a funeral. Who even knew there was such a thing as a funeral rate??? Whatever. She wants to lower the rate, be my guest!
Then I asked if she knew where the wholesaler was in regard to Hotel. "Oh yes, are you visiting them? If you are then I can give you the room for $69!"
In a very short amount of time I saved $55 on the room. I actually saved $110 because my nephew was traveling with us and they gave us both rooms for the $69 rate. I had no idea about the wholesaler discount of course but I still would have saved $30 per room between AAA and the funeral (???) rate.
I guess it really doesn't hurt to ask!
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Ohio-Free Stuff Abounds!
I've never been to Ohio before and truthfully, was not sure what Dayton has to offer. It turns out it has A LOT to offer and most of it is free.
My BIL is an officer in the United States Air Force stationed at Wright-Patterson Airbase. In addition to being the home of Aliens from area 51, it is also home to The National M
useum of The United Stated Air Force. This is an enormous museum that is open daily and is FREE TO THE PUBLIC! People come from all over the country to see this place. It was awesome. We saw stuff from the Wright brothers to the space program and all points in-between. It was impressive, and sad and thought provoking and fun. There was a wonderful Bob Hope exhibit and a somber Holocaust display. I could go on and on but you get the point. There were A LOT of planes!!!
Another wonderful thing about Dayton are the Five Rivers Metro-Parks. This is a group of 25 publicly funded parks around town that are ABSOLUTELY free. These are not just your run of the mill swin
g set parks. We are talking arboretums, kids sensory gardens, fishing, biking. This is some impressive public infrastructure. Most notably (to me!) was Carriage Hill Metro Park, which is a working 
1880's farmhouse.
There were gardens and a house tour, an old fashioned play house for kids, animals, a penny candy store and a really really well done learning center. ALL FREE! They also have seasonal programs throughout about life on the farm. How jealous am I that our family lives so close to this little gem!
Also on our summer tour was a really huge Flea Market for the eBayer in me and a trip to what I think must be the biggest grocery store in the world, Jungle Jims. 6 Acres of food from around the world. They even have a section JUST FOR BUTTER. That tells you how big this place is! Very fun!
Tomorrow ends this leg of the tour. Onward home with a few little stops along the way!
My BIL is an officer in the United States Air Force stationed at Wright-Patterson Airbase. In addition to being the home of Aliens from area 51, it is also home to The National M
useum of The United Stated Air Force. This is an enormous museum that is open daily and is FREE TO THE PUBLIC! People come from all over the country to see this place. It was awesome. We saw stuff from the Wright brothers to the space program and all points in-between. It was impressive, and sad and thought provoking and fun. There was a wonderful Bob Hope exhibit and a somber Holocaust display. I could go on and on but you get the point. There were A LOT of planes!!!Another wonderful thing about Dayton are the Five Rivers Metro-Parks. This is a group of 25 publicly funded parks around town that are ABSOLUTELY free. These are not just your run of the mill swin
g set parks. We are talking arboretums, kids sensory gardens, fishing, biking. This is some impressive public infrastructure. Most notably (to me!) was Carriage Hill Metro Park, which is a working 
1880's farmhouse.There were gardens and a house tour, an old fashioned play house for kids, animals, a penny candy store and a really really well done learning center. ALL FREE! They also have seasonal programs throughout about life on the farm. How jealous am I that our family lives so close to this little gem!
Also on our summer tour was a really huge Flea Market for the eBayer in me and a trip to what I think must be the biggest grocery store in the world, Jungle Jims. 6 Acres of food from around the world. They even have a section JUST FOR BUTTER. That tells you how big this place is! Very fun!
Tomorrow ends this leg of the tour. Onward home with a few little stops along the way!
Monday, June 30, 2008
Relatively Cheap Travel
We are currently on the "I think we're going to Michigan" family tour" (At least that is what my daughter called it when we asked her what we should call our newest family adventure.) Then we are on to Ohio in a few days. In both places we are staying with family.
For people on one income and with the cost of gas, family visits are the way to go to see new things, visit with people you like (hopefully) and get the heck out of Dodge! Even visiting other people's grocery stores can be an interesting adventure if you look at it as one! I like just getting the opportunity to be in a new place seeing new things. It doesn't hurt that the Brother-in-law we are visiting is into food and wine and the family is really wonderful to visit with!
Today we went to one of my favorite food meccas if there ever was one! ever Zingerman's in Ann Arbor MI is an AMAZING deli and gourmet food store. Lunch was a $1
2.50 corned beef ruben (Zingerman's says it's a life changing sandwich and I tend to agree with them! Hell-take a look at the people in this line we stood in for a SANDWICH) We shared though because it was huge! (and really, that isn't even the most expensive sandwich I've ever had-Ask me about grilled cheese at the Waldorf!) That with a side, grilled cheese for my daughter and 2 water's set us back $29! Oh well it's the only thing we've bought since we got here! Tonight we bought a selection of beer, cheese and susage for dinner. I threw in Zingerman's Black Magic Brownies for dessert.
On the way to Michigan we stopped at Dundrun castle in Canada to stretch our legs and have a picnic (of food that we pa
cked for ride-No Micky D's here!) It was a beautiful historic site complete with gardens and house tour (we didn't get to tour though) It seems like a place I would plan to go on the way but it was really just a happy coincidence that we happened upon it!
I LOVE that.
We are keeping costs low, having a good time and enjoying our vacation so far. More awaits in Ohio!
For people on one income and with the cost of gas, family visits are the way to go to see new things, visit with people you like (hopefully) and get the heck out of Dodge! Even visiting other people's grocery stores can be an interesting adventure if you look at it as one! I like just getting the opportunity to be in a new place seeing new things. It doesn't hurt that the Brother-in-law we are visiting is into food and wine and the family is really wonderful to visit with!
Today we went to one of my favorite food meccas if there ever was one! ever Zingerman's in Ann Arbor MI is an AMAZING deli and gourmet food store. Lunch was a $1
2.50 corned beef ruben (Zingerman's says it's a life changing sandwich and I tend to agree with them! Hell-take a look at the people in this line we stood in for a SANDWICH) We shared though because it was huge! (and really, that isn't even the most expensive sandwich I've ever had-Ask me about grilled cheese at the Waldorf!) That with a side, grilled cheese for my daughter and 2 water's set us back $29! Oh well it's the only thing we've bought since we got here! Tonight we bought a selection of beer, cheese and susage for dinner. I threw in Zingerman's Black Magic Brownies for dessert.On the way to Michigan we stopped at Dundrun castle in Canada to stretch our legs and have a picnic (of food that we pa
cked for ride-No Micky D's here!) It was a beautiful historic site complete with gardens and house tour (we didn't get to tour though) It seems like a place I would plan to go on the way but it was really just a happy coincidence that we happened upon it!I LOVE that.
We are keeping costs low, having a good time and enjoying our vacation so far. More awaits in Ohio!
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Back from Vacation!
Well lest you think that I lost my head in the heat in Florida and ran up credit cards sipping margaritas every night, I'm here to tell you it isn't so. I, in fact, did have a margarita most nights but it was one my FIL made me and he didn't charge me for it.
It was a pretty wonderful vacation. Marco Island Florida is a beautiful place! At first I wondered why only older people lived there, but then I quickly realized it was because they are literally the only ones who can afford it. If a trip like this doesn't solidify saving for retirement then nothing will!
Thanks to nice in-laws, our financial outlay for this was very limited. I almost didn't post about it because while this would be considered a beautiful life, it really would not have been frugal had we paid for it.
Weather was warm, company was nice, every morning I had coffee sitting on the lanai looking at the beautiful gold course (who would think a gold course would look so nice and peaceful!) The best part, by far, was being outside. I'm not much of a play outside in the snow kind of person so being outside swimming and walking and having fun (all free I might
add) really made the vacation special.2 days before we left we found a free spray park which was a blast. We walked each evening and one night we had a very expensive grown up dinner out while the in-laws watched our girl.
Getting back to reality was cold, hard and a little bit sad. Hence my not writing last week. I was tired and everything looked so colorless after the hot colors of a Florida winter! I wasn't feeling like talking frugal, in fact, I didn't want to do much but go back to Florida and take a nap every afternoon.
But back to reality I am and back to living beautifully frugally, I'll be!
Friday, February 15, 2008
My Beach Read!
My husband surprised me with this gem of a book yesterday for Valentines Day! Does he know me or what!?!
I've only peeked inside as I'm saving it for the beach or the pool, or even the bed that I'm napping in as my In-Laws are watching my three year old!
By the time I get back I should know how to churn butter (ok, I'm cheating, I've already done this), make a quilt, can pickles and milk a cow! (and much more I'm sure!)
Monday, December 10, 2007
The Hidden Truth Behind Hotel Drinking Glasses
Ok, this isn't really that frugal and it certainly isn't beautiful It's downright gross. I debated if I should post it because it's not really in line with my mission here but keeping you all safe from god knows what could be considered a beautiful thing.
You'll never look at your hotel room the same way again!
You'll never look at your hotel room the same way again!
Monday, September 3, 2007
Little Red Cottage Up North
I am back from what seems like a long vacation! 2 Weeks in Northern NY on the shore of the St Lawrence River. This is the little red cottage we stay in every year.It has 2 rooms and is quite reasonable ($500 for 2 weeks, though we do get a little discount) to stay in. As I mentioned in my previous post, the view from the porch is the top of this blog. My husband explained to the owners of the cottage that my soul is somewhere in that field as I think it is probably one of the most peaceful views I've ever seen. It was greener this year than the picture at the top of this blog, maybe I'll change the picture. Every morning I would have my coffee while looking at that view and just breathe....
The cottage has a kitchen so we ate all but 4 meals at home. (We went out for 2 dinners, one lunch and one breakfast) I thought that was going to be a bummer because in past years we would eat out a lot! It wasn't a bummer at all and we cooked easy simple food.
Lynne and
Michael, who own our cottage are wonderful as are their 3 children who had a great time playing with our 2 1/2 year old. One night we had a fire in front of their 1860s farmhouse and listened to their oldest play civil war music on the violin with her dad accompanying on guitar.Most mornings my husband would go down to the dock at the cottage to go fishing and most afternoons too. When our daughter was napping we would take turns at the water. We all swam, enjoyed beautiful sunsets and napped a lot!
Every night that we were home we would put our daughter to bed and both take out our books to read. One night we rented a movie but only watched half and lost interest.
We got a library card at the little library there. Had picnics at the local lighthouse, went to the free fish museum and free historical society. There was an awesome playground.
Leighanne's family has a place there so we also spent one weekend with Leigh and her new husband, Tim.
One of my favorite memories is of going to the dump by myself (yes, you read that correctly) When you don't have local garbage pickup it really makes you think even more about your trash and consumption habits. (They would have taken our garbage for us but since we're so comfortable there we just as soon do it ourselves) Anyway, one of the best parts of the dump is that everyone brings the books they don't want and you can just help yourself! One day I took a bag of garbage and recyclables. It cost a dollar. I picked up 11 books and had a homemade oatmeal cookie that the woman who runs the dump made. Let me tell you, that was a way better experience than I have lugging my huge suburban trash toter to the curb every Sunday night. Hmmm.... Life in a small town.
This was a really cheap vacation. $500 for the 2 weeks plus groceries and a few meals out. Of course there were some sideline trips to other towns and a few coffee splurges at the cute local coffee house as well as a new beautiful silver bracelet for me. But by and large this was a wonderful vacation on a budget! We have done this for the past 5 years and would do it even if we had a lot more money for vacation spending!
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Priceline.Com for Hotel Rooms
I swore off Priceline.com the time that I arrived in Bilioxi Mississippi at 11:50 PM on the day I requested travel.
However, this week, I have changed my mind. We went to Toronto with my In-Laws to see a Yankee game (well, ok, Blue Jays game where the Yankees were the visiting team) A friend of my husband told him he should look at Priceline for a Hotel, we had only used them for plane tickets to this point. He went on, asked for a 4 star hotel near the stadium and for $85 American, we got a great room at The Westin Harbour Castle. (Last year for the same trip we stayed in a so so Days Inn for $125 American. ) The rooms were great. Decorations, sleek and very "Toronto" The water view was beautiful and I swear, the bed was even nicer and more comfortable than the one I slept in at The Waldorf Astoria in NYC!
The seats were great and purchased, courtesy of my in-laws, on eBay for less than the best seats the box office had left at the time the reservations were made.
Dinner, also courtesy of my in-laws (Frugal tip-Have nice In-Laws!) was at Wayne Gretzky's restaraunt. Interesting even if you aren't a huge fan of The Great One. There is a very neat mini museum in the back where you can see all kinds of Gretzky memorabilia.
The most un-frugal thing about the whole trip was eating at the darn stadium. Prices were high ($3.70 for a bottle of water!) Since the exchange isn't that great at the moment, eating there cost 2 of us the same as one of the actual tickets to the game and we didn't eat all that m
uch!It was about 100 degrees. The Yankees won. Mariano Rivera was an amazing closing pitcher and look! Derek Jeter is so happy to see me he's waving to me with his glove on ;-)
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