I love a challenge!

Let me just say, "Hooray!"

Many of you know that I tend to be pretty competitive when playing a game...I love a bit of friendly competition and enjoy working on and finishing puzzles.  Well tonight I've been looking for a solution to a horrible airline schedule for HOURS and wouldn't accept what I was finding at face value. And guess what? 

!! Success !!

I found a way to save a client not only money, but a least THREE (3) connections on an international flight for his family of four which will save them many hours in travel time!  Sometimes it pays to be stubborn!

Bottom line...saved the family $634.40, three connections and 10 (yes TEN) hours of travel time!

So, would you like to be my client?  Give me a call!

I'm going to bed now...with a smile on my face and a satisfied spirit of accomplishment.
Sweet Dreams!

~Trish

Well what to write about today...pondering the possibilities

Well, what to write about today...there are a load of possibilities out there!  What it I pull something from the news?  The biggest story seems to be Osama Bin Laden's capture and death and what that means for us.  Hmmm....

I could also write about the terrible storms that swept through the southeast last week which produced over 362 tornadoes in a 24 hour period which devastated Tuscaloosa and caused flooding in Missouri. There are people who need help.  I could tell you to check with our local media websites, the Red Cross or contact a local church in order to donate to the relief efforts.

I could write about the cost of gasoline and the effect that will have on our summer travel plans, or even spin it and talk about the really great discounts on European Cruises in the Mediterranean...if you can afford the airline ticket to get there since fuel has increased the ticket price.

I could talk about the great training seminar that Alleigh and Nancy from Avalon Waterways provided on our Seminar at See sailing from Paris, and how they really care about helping Travel Advisors succeed.

I could write about my personal goal of getting up every day at 5am to have a time of personal development since I can't seem to carve time out for myself if I do it later in the day.

I could tell you all about my wonderful friends, my crazy pet, my beloved family or even share my personal sorrows...I just can't decide.

I could tell you about all of these things, or none of them at all...I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

I want to go again!

Good morning!  It's not been a bad start for a Monday morning.

I was reflecting on my trip to France and thinking about how much I enjoyed it and what, if anything, I'd do differently the next time.

It was a wonderful trip, but just like everything in live, it didn't go just exactly as I had planned.

First of all, I had borrowed and new technology with me.  Hmmm  I like to imagine myself a bit of a "tech geek".  My kids would laugh at me for even thinking that, but hey, for my generation I am a bit cutting edge!  LOL 

The netbook I had was from my office and I really did enjoy the light weight convenience and it was really easy to use.  That would definitely get packed for my next trip.

The new "basic" international phone that I purchased for my international trips was adequate, but I did miss having all the bells and whistles of my Android phone. I have an UK phone number and a US phone number linked to the international phone, and my family and office can reach me in an emergency or just to chat.  Texting from the phone is hard because of not having a keypad, but hey...it makes the cut for the next trip.

The next item that I had was a digital camera.  You ask yourself, "What? She borrowed a digital camera? I thought she just said she was a tech geek!  She should have one of her own!"  Please allow me to defend my self with one word....KIDS!  I had one, but it was dropped by one of my offspring who I love dearly.  I haven't replaced it because I mostly use my phone to snap shots, but this time I felt a camera was in order to do France justice.

I borrowed one from the office at the last minute and had never used it before.  The pictures that it took were WONDERFUL!  It was like I couldn't hardly take a bad picture it I tried, but alas...I couldn't get the silly thing to charge and after the 2nd day it was dead.  Sad Day to again quote Becky!

I will surely take a digital camera on the next trip.  I'm thinking that I'll purchase my own and learn to work it before the trip so that I won't be disappointed and miss capturing a memory!

Thanks for letting me share my thoughts with you today!

~Trish

My Body Clock is Wacked!

Good Morning!

Morning came for me today at 5am which is decidedly nicer than 4am! 

What to do with this extra time?  Bible Study first and then the dreaded balancing of the checkbook!  As I was entering the transactions I smiled as I remembered my recent trip.  The charge for Internet at the hotel, the meals that we ate and the splurge that I made at the Monet Museum gift shop in Giverny!  Good times...then what's this? 

There are little Visa charges for international bank fees...those didn't make me smile.

Bank fees seem to be a fact of life so I suggest that you do a little homework prior to your overseas trip, or for purchases you make from the US from foreign companies such as Skype or Jajah.  Find out what each of your cards would charge when purchasing internationally so that you can make an informed decision as to which one to use.  With just a little extra effort you might be able to avoid a nasty surprise and keep a little more of your hard earned money!

Back home, Adieu France!

 Well, we've made it back home...me here to Montgomery and Mom back to Chattanooga.  We must say adieu to France for now at least!

I woke up at 4am this morning and wasn't able to go back to sleep...that would have been 11am in France.  I called mom at 5am and she had been up for 2 hours already!  LOL  I guess we will be in bed by 7pm tonight!  What Fun!

The flight home was much nicer than the flight over on the Airbus Aircraft. There was a good bit of turbulence over the Atlantic, but never the less I did grab 40 winks.  At one point I remember thinking to myself, "I'm snoozing and my mouth is WIDE OPEN!  Nice..."  I'm sure the man in the window seat found that very attractive!  LOL

I have added some more of the many photos that we took on the trip.  I will continue to add new posts and information about the trip for the next little bit as updating the blog just wasn't possible during part of the trip!

Many of you iindicated that you loved the photos of Monet's Garden, so I will try to dedicate a blog just to that morning and try to upload all of the pictures there.

Have a wonderful day!

Guest Blogger...My Mom, Betty!

I've asked my mom to share with everyone her impressions of our vacation so far.  She has asked me to type for her, so in I let you know that in advance!  LOL

"I enjoyed our pre-cruise visit to Paris, especially the hop on hop off tour buses, but I've really loved the cruise down the River.  It's beautiful and relaxing yet I'm learning alot about the history of the region.  I'm looking forward to our visit tomorrow to the Landing Beaches of Normandy."

"I will be glad to get back home to be able to see my kids, grandkids and greatgrandkids and maybe even the new house that my bid was accepted on 2 days prior to our trip!"

"The people are nice and friendly on the cruise, the food is really good and I've enjoyed everything so far."

Well there ya' go folk...straight from my guest blogger...My Mom Betty!

My New Friend Zoe from Rouen!

Hello Everyone!  I made a new friend today at lunch...her name is Zoe and she's 3 years old.  (4 next month)

Zoe, her mom & dad and big sister sat next to us today at the bistro that we were having lunch in.  I always love to sit outside, (as any of my friends will tell you) and in Europe their sense of personal space is different than that of an American.  It's not bad, just a bit strange until you get used to it.

Zoe's family was there for a pre-birthday lunch for her sister who will turn 6 on Easterday this year.  Zoe was extra hungery waiting for her food and a bit fidgety.  Her mom apologized to us polietly and explained in English what was going on.  We already had our food, along with a basket of French Bagget.  We offered the girls some bread until their food came and guess what...I have a new friend!

By the end of lunch, Zoe was over on my side of the table, almost sitting in my lap trying to teach me  French!  As we were leaving she said to me in French, (translated by her mom),  "Good bye my new little friend!"  Too Cute!!

I will post again about Rouen and post pictures, but I wanted my new friend to have her own!