Here's a tip, Miami

I just got back from a 40^th birthday trip with my older sister to Miami, FL. We had a great time! But there was something I had rarely experienced before, and it seemed to be the norm in Miami.

Tips were included. Like everywhere.

Normally, I get it. People suck and they don’t know how to tip… but what about bad service? Isn’t the WHOLE idea behind tipping in the service industry is that they work extra hard and give you better service and thus their tip can be more or less depending on the quality?

We had HORRIBLE service one day during lunch and 18% gratuity was included automatically… just seems to go against the entire idea behind tipping if you ask me.

All in all, I typically tip more than 18%, but in the case of the lunch that took 2 hours, she would have only gotten a couple of bucks.

Either way, Miami is fun and beautiful and we had great weather, as indicated by the below.

Sailing Trip Tips

We sailed for 7 days and 7 nights with two other couples in the Caribbean on a 38’ catamaran and this is what we learned! We went to St. Martin, St. Barts, and Anguilla.

1. If you like good head support when you sleep, bring a pillow. What we were provided might as well have been several tissues stuffed in a pillowcase.
2.  If you are not part of the crew, bring a book. Sailing is super fun, but 7 days of the same seas left plenty of time for reading.
3. Do not overpack… there isn’t much room on a boat. Instead bring 2 swimming suits, 3 beach coverups, and 4 outfits. The more that these can crossover, the better. I brought two pairs of flip flops, but could have just used 1. I also brought 2 beach towels, and although I brought them back, I was prepared to leave them in St. Martin. Don’t forget two pairs of pajamas that you don’t mind your friends seeing you wear! Several sports bras were a must for me. :)
4. As a couple, we brought 2 bottles of SPF 30 lotion and 4 spray cans of SPF 30 for reapplication. Include an SPF lip balm, sunglasses, and hat, and you should be good to go. I get burned medium easily and I didn’t get but a slight sunburn on my back one day when some of the SPF must have rubbed off.
5. They accepted American dollars almost everywhere we went. We brought $500 cash and spent an additional $250 on our debit card in groceries and this was plenty. Bring small bills for tipping.
6. Consider how you are going to preserve your sailing memories. We bought and brought a GoPro camera for pictures and underwater video and I also collected sand from each place.
7. Bring your own snorkel gear! The $50 spent is well worth it for an impromptu jump in the sea. I would test it out first in a pool before you leave, my original mask leaked so I had to get another one.
8. My husband was first mate and he was prepared with UV long sleeve shirts and gloves for the ropes. He definitely needed those gloves. He also rented a fishing pole from the marina for a week to fiddle with when he wasn't working.
9. The ladies made one trip to the grocery store, while the men got acquainted with the boat. We rented a car for $60 and spent $750 on groceries from the store (total), which included everything from the provisions list below.
10. Definitely check out the boat first to see what is provided… we had a percolator to make coffee (instructions here), no microwave, charcoal grill (did not use), and propane oven/range. Bring a large tervis tumbler with lid if you tend to like larger drinks that stay cold. The cups that were provided were just so-so.

*** Sea Sickness - this is a personal choice, but I only felt queasy one time in 8-10 foot seas and a quick trip to the side of the boat and looking at the horizon helped me out. One girl wore the seasickness bands on her wrists, and another took Dramamine but was pretty tired all week. No one else had any problems. ***

Our Provisions List – for 6 people for one week. (We ate about 3 meals on shore)

• 150 bottles of water
• 3 cases of beer (try the local Carib if you get a chance, very Corona-ish)
• 6 bottles of liquor, include a local rum – like Guavaberry!
• 6 bottles of mixers (2 liters of ginger ale, orange juice, sprite, etc.)
• Coffee, creamer, and sugar/sweetener
• Small dish-soap, trash bags, ziplock containers or storage bags, sponge, spray bottle of cleaner, toilet paper, and paper towels
• Snacks: Chips, dips, cookies, trail mix
• Breakfast: fruit, oatmeal, yogurt, cereal, milk
• Lunch: cold cuts, bread, sliced cheese, peanut butter & jelly
• Dinners: we took turns cooking and all girls did the cleaning (since the men did the sailing)
• Meal 1: Spaghetti noodles, Italian sausages, jar of red sauce, frozen garlic bread, shredded mozzarella cheese
• Meal 2: Frozen burger patties, buns, ketchup, mustard, onion, tomato
• Meal 3: Chicken tenderloins, bowtie pasta, alfredo sauce, broccoli
• Meal 4: Ground beef, seasoning, taco shells, sour cream, shredded cheese, black beans, salsa
• ICE! – We bought 2-3 bags of ice daily. The boat had a cooler, but it would melt per day and we would use ice in our drinks.

I'm Sailing Away!

Headed to St. Martin, Anguilla, and St. Barts today! Words cannot describe. :)

Luck of the Draw

In a couple of weeks we are headed on a sailing trip with two other couples... well, we drew the cabins last night and what luck we had! We got the berth that does not have to share a bathroom with another couple! SOOO lucky. Starboard side it is. :)

Brooke & Davis - married!

It was a beautiful day for a wedding! All week the chance of rain decreased to 0% from about 40%... it was a gorgeous 72 and sunny. Someone was really looking out for these two! Custom dress, adorable white chapel and yard, key lime filled cake, fried green tomatoes... this wedding had it all. My heartfelt congratulations go out to Brooke and Davis! Have SO MUCH FUN on your honeymoon!

ROAD TRIP!

My friends, my husband, and I are taking to the road today for a 9.5 hour driving trip to Alabama for our friends' wedding! I do love a good road trip (at least on the way there) and I have compiled a small list below for necessities!

1. Hydration - water
2. Energy - Red Bull, 5 Hour, Mt. Dew, etc.
3. Snacks - salty & sweet!
4. Blanket and Pillow
5. Special Indulgences - fast food!?!
6. GPS
7. iPad or tablet for games
8. A good music mix
9. Cash - tolls, gas, etc.
10. Comfy clothes

I can't wait to get on the road with my good friends. The whole weekend will be wonderful and I will share some photos when I return!  

Delta - 2, Joellen - 0

Remember this post? Well, Delta duped me again!

I wanted to "gift" some miles to my husband for an upcoming trip. Seems OK right? There are SEVERAL options to donate, gift, transfer, etc. your miles to someone.

It costs $0.01 per mile to do this. So, for 5,000 miles, it is a $50, but then they add a $30 fee onto that! So frustrating.

That being said, the $80 total was a lot less than buying a new ticket, but still. We bought a LOT of flights for that 110,000 mile total.

Los Angeles Vacation

I took an impromptu trip over the weekend to visit my husband while he was on business in LA. I have always wanted to visit and I even got to see something on my bucket list - Walt Disney's Concert Hall. The temps were perfect, in the middle to upper 70s, and we had a great time. We tried to do different mini trips each day, and here is what we came up with:

Friday - I had this day to myself since my husby was still working... did downtown LA and saw the concert hall, museums (MOCA) and did a little shopping.

LOVED the building above, but how ugly are these interiors though? Pull it together Gehry! 

Saturday was all about Hollywood and Beverly Hills!

Sunday was beautiful beach weather. We headed to the Santa Monica Pier.

And, of course, we ate. :)

I would say the trip was a success! That plane ride on the way home was a beat down though. LA to Baltimore... longest ride ever. On the way out I connected in Chicago and much preferred that.

Next time I go to Cali, I think I'll head to wine country. Such a beautiful state.

Traffic Experiment

When attempting to choose lanes during a small traffic backup during rush hour... always get behind the pizza delivery person. They know their routes. :)

Sunshine State of Mind

I'm unplugging today and for the rest of this weekend for some much needed relaxation and celebration with my friend Brooke (and company) in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. The weather is supposed to be nice and in the low 80s... perfect fall beach weather!

Go Quote Yourself!

Ivanka, I think you are an amazingly talented lady, but please, for the love of God, don't quote yourself on facebook.

Simple Beauty

Simple beauty... even when driving in road construction. :)

Customer Service Survey

When asked if I wanted to complete a one minute survey after I spoke to the company's representative, I said yes... I have a theory that one or more of the following things will happen:

• maybe my wait time will be reduced?
• maybe they will give me a more highly rated customer service rep?
• maybe they will be more willing to satisfy my problem?

I am currently waiting on the phone, right now! Typing as I wait... let's see if my theory is right.

1 minute.

3 minutes.

5 minutes.

19 minutes...

24 minutes when they finally picked up.

Everything was OK, I guess... seeing as I was on hold for so long, I did not take the survey...

Also, to change a flight costs you $200. My ticket was $221... and you just simply need to call back to book the new flight. I think I would save more to just book a new one online, in time at least! The joys of travel...
 

 

Highlands, NC Wedding

We are headed out to Highlands, NC for the weekend and the second wedding out of four this season. I can't wait! It is for the nuptials of our good friends Janye and Andrew. A bunch of us (9 couples maybe?) got two adjacent houses and fun should be had by all! I have never been to this area.

Steven is actually getting into this wedding a little more than usual. He picked out part of the gift and he was even scheming with another one of the male guests about which house we are staying in so they could continue their bro-mance. He also RSVPd for one of the events all by himself because it is "casino" themed! Maybe I should come up with "casino" themed housework... ;)

KB + Jeff - Then Comes Marriage

Bald Head Island, NC is such an amazing place, unlike anywhere I have ever been. Because you have to take a ferry to get there, the main mode of transportation on the 4 mile long island is a golf cart. It is safe, quiet, and so beautiful here.

Sunrise shot from the morning after on the ferry back to the mainland port.

 It was the perfect weekend for a wedding and a wonderful start for my good friend KB's life together with her now husband Jeff. I am so happy for them!

My favorite shot of the groom with the glow sticks is below. I cannot wait to see the pictures from this, they were used in the wedding couple send off because fire works, etc. are not allowed on the island. I loved it!!!

It's Wedding Season!

Headed out for our first of 4 weddings this summer! Very excited to see everyone and the beautiful location. Cheers KB & Jeff! :)

Ocean Isle Here We Come! [plus a dessert recipe]

Headed out to Ocean Isle Beach, NC again this weekend for a bachelorette party! I am very excited for my third trip here in just a few months time. I love this place, small community, laid back, and really fun. I would love to own a house here someday!

This weekend is all about hanging out with my girlfriends though. Can't wait to catch some rays and relax after quite a long week at work! These are the moments we live for...

I made an amazing dessert dip to share for the weekend! Last time we came here I made a dessert dip and it went over very well. Everyone thinks to bring vegetables and hummus and crackers and cheese, but this is a bachelorette party and we need some chocolate! :)

I made it last night and tried it before chilling it all the way in the fridge and I think I could have eaten half of it before throwing up from the richness of it all. Here is the original recipe and how I modified it below:

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Dessert Dip

I doubled the below because there are 10 of us...

Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter
1/3 cup light brown sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, room temp (do not use no or reduced fat)
1/2 cup powdered sugar
3/4 cup semisweet mini chocolate chips

Directions:

1. In a small saucepan, melt the butter with the brown sugar over medium heat. Stir continuously, until the brown sugar dissolves.
2. Remove from heat, stir in the vanilla and set aside to cool.
3. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and confectioner's sugar until smooth.
4. Slowly beat in the cooled butter mixture and beat again for another minute. It is OK if the butter mixture is not thoroughly "cool" just don't have it piping hot.
5. Stir in the chocolate chips.
6. Pour into a serving bowl, garnish with chips, and refrigerate.
7. Serve with Nilla Wafers.

Music City, Y'all

I will be visiting my beautiful baby sister in Nashville this weekend, and I leave today! I am so excited to see her and this is my first time visiting her in Nashville. She has been there almost a year so I am hoping she has a good plan for us! I would like to check out the Grand Ole' Opry and other music venues, along with getting some grub and visiting some architecture, I think I am in for a grand ole' time! ;)

See ya soon sis!

Beach Weekend!

Shark Watching ;)

We Sprung a Leak!

I will wish for "moisture" no more. While we were vacationing in Colorado for Christmas, it was sooo dry that Steven and I kept wishing for more wetness in the air...

Well, this is what we came home to. At 2:30 in the morning. After our flight back was delayed for 2 hours. Tired. And already grumpy.

Our porch is covered so there is never water under it. That was our first clue while walking up from the car with our suitcases.

 Oh, wait, water in your master bedroom is not customary? This was the area most damaged. Our master toilet piece broke while we were gone. :(

Who's the Boss? to the rescue!

 I was cringing the whole time... our wood floors are only two years old! They are all gone now.

Bonus was the disaster guy standing in the pic was kind of cute. Steven didn't think so. 

So, now we are living in a hotel for the foreseeable future. Very inconvenient when you forget something at home, but very convenient when the bed needs to get made or you are wanting some breakfast in the am. 

Hopefully we will have some pictures of our house put back together soon!


On another note, joining my AXO alumni group was one of the greatest things I did in 2012! Here is a sweet note from one of the exec board members.

***

"Hey Jo,
At tonight's AXO alumnae exec meeting, Leigh mentioned your holiday "surprise". The exec board would like to offer you and Steve our support in anyway we can. Please let me know if you need clean up help, a home cooked meal, help with Minnie, whatever. Don't hesitate to ask. Your sisters are here for you." 

***

Thank you!