Hello again,

I know it has been a long time since I blogged. SO much has been going on that I've wanted to share with you, but I do not even recognize my life before I became a Mother.

My son started school and decided “you don't like me Mommy, or you wouldn't make me go to this school". My 18 month old daughter started her terrible two's 6 months early with complete temper tantrums where she throws herself on the floor.

And just to make sure I was paying attention, my bathroom and garage flooded when a pipe broke underneath the house!
Yet, I am happier than I have ever been. I have been vacationing with my family, and it makes me forget everything else.
I used to get mad at clients who spent money I knew they didn't have to go away on a trip, but I get it now. Vacations are necessary even if you have to eat "the chef" or cancel some premium channels you don't have time to watch anyhow.
Taking a vacation is not a luxury, it is mandatory. Employees would not give you paid vacations if it wasn't necessary. Schools would never close for 3 months if they didn't want you to travel.

When I last wrote I also thought it didn't matter where you went "as long as the family was together". On second thought, I was wrong again. It does matter where you go and how you get there. I was so blindly in love with my kids that I assumed they would be happy on every airplane and during every car ride. I thought just going somewhere warm and sunny would keep them stimulated.

Since the last time I wrote, I have taken my children to Disney World in July, Jamaica in August, and Philadelphia in September. My 3 year old thinks that Mickey Mouse and Elmo lives in every hotel that we go to since that was the case for 2 out of 3 hotels. When we got to my nephew's Bar Mitzvah in Philadelphia he was looking everywhere for Mickey Mouse and Goofy.

This is my new philosophy regarding vacations (with or without children): Do not settle when taking a vacation. If you are used to nice resorts but because the kids are now in college or you aren't making the money you were making 3 years ago, don't go to a 3 star hotel because it is cheaper. Do not compromise on your trips. No matter where you go it is going to cost a significant amount of money. I know it is great to go Christmas week or after Hurricane Season. I also know that flying nonstop is really convenient, but what is most important to you?

For me it is getting a great deal on a GOOD place. I used to be all about getting a good deal on a GREAT place, but a great place for me might mean there is a water slide or not a long ride from the airport. I don't even look at how many stars the resort has anymore. I look at the amenities, the services, and I listen to what my friends and clients tell me.
I have been in this business almost 20 years and I am good at my job because I listen to my clients. I want to know which resorts have enough beach chairs in the shade. I want to know if it is hard to get dinner reservations at the good places. I want to know if there is a bee problem or if the people working there are nice. I want to know how deep the pool is, what the temperature of the ocean is and whether or not long pants are required for men.
Now don't call me tomorrow and ask me what the weather is going to be like 7 weeks from now, or how much the spa charges for a massage, because I don't know the answers to those questions, and even though I am here to serve you, if you ask me a question you can find the answer to on your own, I may just tell you want you want to hear (which may be less than factual).

What you can do is tell me what you are looking for and how much you are willing to spend for a few days of paradise. I will find you the prefect place for your specific needs. I know we can help you, now will someone help me with the terrible 2s?

I will write again sooner rather than later.

Beth