Archive for the ‘Trip’ Category

I still can’t believe while we were in Vegas we went to one of the hot clubs where you have 2 forever long lines.  (Thankfully for them they are located in malls and not outside in the cooler (or hot in the summer) weather.   If it wasn’t to our friend having connections we would never of gone just because of the lines. 

From a 35 year olds standpoint this is how I felt at it.  I felt a little out of place when I was there.  First off I’m overweight and honestly I don’t remember seeing anyone else that way.  It seemed like it was full of young 20 year olds with short, strapless dresses.   Secondly I was the youngest in our group and while we all felt a little old there, some ended up pointing out that they were old enough to be a lot of those youngin’s mom’s!   (It made us feel like reading some wrinkle cream reviews after that)

Finally, if you ever want to go to a club in Vegas and you can spend the $$$$ for the cover & drinks, then make sure you go when your feet aren’t hurting.   Since we had done a lot of walking that day a lot of our feet weren’t to pleased with us.  We just kept thinking at least once we are inside we can find a place to sit, but there isn’t.  Yes there were a lot of open booths, but every table there is reserved so you can’t just find a seat and sit like you can when to you to the bar.

So what did I learn?  I am much more comfortable going to a bar versus a club any day!  Bring me that bar that plays the country or 80’s music any day! 

Next year will be the year of travel for me as I will be going on 2, maybe 3 different trips for ME!!  I wonder how I’ll do since only one of them will be with the family, the other one (or two) will be just me, no Paul or kids.  I know I’ll have a good time, but I also know I’m going to be missing the kids like crazy.  Especially at bed time as I love to snuggle with Kevin & Katie.  I swear that’s my favorite part of the day.

In January I’ll be heading out to Vegas with my friend who will be turning the big 4-0.   When we first started talking about going somewhere we thought about looking at what kind of mexico vacation deals there were out there, but ended up deciding on Vegas since there are usually some really cheap airline flights out there which was making us think more people would be more apt to go out there versus Mexico.

Then in February I’ll be heading south with Paul and the kids for a couple weeks.  The first week will be spent in the Orlando area where we ended up renting Scrub Jay Villa for a week!  Paul’s parents are planning on coming up and spending a couple nights with us so they can go to Disney with us for one of the days.  Then the following week we will be driving over to Orange Beach, Alabama where we will be spending that week with my parents.   We did the exact same thing last year and it actually worked out great because we played hard at Disney and then by the time we got to Orange Beach we were ready to kick back, relax and listen to those waves crash on the beach.

Then my finally trip of the year would be out to see my friend in Portland, OR.   The only reason why I can’t say for sure I’m going is because I don’t have the dates scheduled in yet, or the money saved up.  I know my friend had said spring would be the best time, but with me going away in Jan & Feb, I don’t know if it would be to much to also go away in March or April.  It would be kind of nice if I could go more in the fall, that way I also would have time to save up for it as I know the airline tickets out there can be quite expensive.

Oh how I wish it was 2010 already!

My friend is going to be turning the big 4-0 this upcoming January and a group of us girls have decided to fly to Vegas for the weekend.  (Leaving Friday night and coming home Monday)   The last time I was in Vegas I was in 4th grade so needless to say the only thing I can remember is circus circus. 

I’m not to much into gambling.. $20 and I’m done.  Thankfully my friend isn’t either and she would like to do some fun things like maybe taking a tour of Hover Dam, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, things like that. 

So, here’s my questions to those have been to vegas….

1.  Beside gambing… what was something fun that you would recommend doing?
2.  Is there a certain place you highly recommend eating at?
3. When you are there.. are you a contant busy?  I’m debating if I would want to bring my laptop or not.  My guess is it will be staying home since I have a feeling we will be busy, but sometimes it’s nice to have to look something up.  Of course the hotel my friend was thinking we were staying at you have to pay extra to be able to go online, so maybe I will just pass on that.
4. Is the strip far from the airport?  If you were going to be staying at a place on the strip, would you rent a car, take a shuttle ($14.50 a person) or pay a taxi?  (there currently are 4 or 5 of us going)
5. Is there a hotel you would recommend over another?  My friend was thinking Planet Hollywood…

If you have anything else you would like to add that I might want to know, please leave me a comment!!

Thanks in advance!!

Have you ever been in Florida when the Space Shuttle went off? I just found out that the Space Shuttle is going back up to the space station on Feb 7th when we will be in Orlando! My thinking is it will be worth it to drive over and see it as what are the chances we will ever be down there again when it takes off. (Of course my luck. the launch will be delayed a few weeks LOL)

If you have seen the Space Shuttle take off.. where did you watch it from? I read that Space View Park is good, but to leave there after the launch takes FOREVER. So I’m wondering if we stayed farther away (somewhere between Orlando & the Space Center) would be just as good. (Even though it would be fun to “feel” it take off.

We got the vacation rental!!! I’m so excited right now!!! We did find out my parents are not going South this year so I also changed our airline tickets and van rental too so now all we have to do is pack!! I’m so ready for the warmer weather. This snow & cold is starting to get to me.

This is one things I believe in. That things happen for a reason. This year so far has been one of the most stressful years of my life and it’s not even Feb yet. Between my Grandma passing away, some scary news about a close relative of mine (can’t quite say what it is yet until we know for sure), my husband thinking he had a hernia and his doctor talking about surgery (thankfully it wasn’t), Kevin & I getting really sick last weekend and the straw that broke the camel back was getting an email from VRBO (Vacation Rental By Owner)informing us that the Villa we had rented was removed from their listings as it seemed suspicious and to not send the guy any money. (To late.. we already sent him the deposit since we are suppose to leave next Sunday) Per the email they recommend we find someplace else.

So.. that’s what I’ve been doing the last couple days. BUT I think I finally found our new Vacation Home for when we go down next week and I can’t wait!!! I even wrote to the people who signed their guestbook since we are a little scared now after what happened at the previous place, but I’m starting to hear back from the people and they are telling me the good & not so good (just minor stuff like having to buy your own paper towel) about staying there. Even with the minor stuff they would go back there in a flash! So this looks to be the house we might be staying at Florida Villa For Vacation, but won’t know 100% until I hear back from the owner as we are negotiating a price right now!! I just can’t wait to find out for sure so the stress of not having a place can leave me. All I can say is this place is a lot bigger and nicer than where we were going to stay for $50 more. What’s $50.. when you know for sure the place you are staying at is a good place instead of a suspicious one. When we get back I’ll update you on the place we stayed and let you know if we give it a thumbs up or thumbs down!

In Feb, we are heading South for a couple weeks!! Our first stop will be Orlando where we will be staying 4 nights at a great looking 4 bedroom Villa!! We are planning on 2 days at Disney, but I’m wondering what else we could do the other 2 days. I know they have a great petting farm that we took Kevin to when he was a baby and I’m sure we will go back, espically if we can find the BOGO free coupon like last time.

Have you ever been to Orlando with kids? If so what did you do besides Disney?