Posts with the label travel
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Friday, July 11, 2014
3 Things a Realtor Should Do for a Renter before Invading their Residence
We're on vacation, ya (insert Swedish accent here)? We are renting Anabelle on Sanibel for 28 days. It's a beaut to say the least, on the market for $1.6 mil.
Now, before you jump to conclusions about how much it costs to rent this house for 28 days, let me tell you. It's cheaper to rent this home for 28 days than to rent a comparable home for a week in Destin, Grayton Beach or any of the panhandle locations in Florida.
Yes, it's oceanfront. You are looking at the front of the house. The view out of every window on the back of the house looks like this. OMG!
This afternoon I was playing in the ocean and noticed my hubby waving me in to the shore. He was on my phone sitting under the prettiest umbrella on the beach.
.JPG "beach umbrella")
I expected to hear one of my girls say "What chew doing mom?". Instead, I heard a realtor asked if he could show the house we're staying in tomorrow from 12:30 to 1:00 pm. He advised me that we don't have to leave the house, you can stay while we're showing. Awkward.
What would you have done? Leave me a comment and tell me if I did right or wrong.
Still scratching my head,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
Yes, it's oceanfront. You are looking at the front of the house. The view out of every window on the back of the house looks like this. OMG!
I expected to hear one of my girls say "What chew doing mom?". Instead, I heard a realtor asked if he could show the house we're staying in tomorrow from 12:30 to 1:00 pm. He advised me that we don't have to leave the house, you can stay while we're showing. Awkward.
YOU WANT ME TO DO WHAT?
"It's your choice, of course" he said. Flabbergasted I said "Can you explain the situation? Can they see it another time?" He continued calm as a cucumber "They are flying in to see a couple of houses. This house is the one they REALLY want to see. At least that's what I understand." His voice sure was sweet.
Was this in my contract? Did I miss it? No one told me when I rented this house it was for sale. I'd used this company before without a glitch. I immediately sounded like my mom saying "Do we get a discount if we let you show it or some kind of concession?" He said sounding insulted "Not that I know of." REALLYY? REALLY? I asked if they'd be sending cleaning people and he said no. The viewers understand it is occupied. Do you understand it's occupied?
Because I am sooooo nice, I agreed. I also spent the afternoon cleaning the place more than I would have if it wasn't being shown. Argh! Why am I the way I am? Anyways, if any realtors choose to read this blog, I want them to know 3 things a realtor should do for a renter before invading their residence to show a home:
- buy a free lunch for the renters you are ousting, or
- offer a small refund for the time ousted (maybe the cost of dinner), or
- at least give the renter more than a 20 hour notice please.
What would you have done? Leave me a comment and tell me if I did right or wrong.
Still scratching my head,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
Thursday, July 10, 2014
Money-Saving Thursday #1: Things to Do for Free on Vacation
ROAD TRIP!
One of the best, least-expensive vacations I can remember is a road trip we took in 2009. I had just quit work for personal reasons. We needed a vacation on a shoestring. The trip turned out to be one of the most rewarding experiences ever!
Our destination was Illinois for a Drum Corps International performance. What fun we had on the way! We happened upon Metropolis, Illinois, home of Superman. Who knew this town even existed? We had all this fun for FREE! Check out the Visit Metropolis website for lots of "Places to Play" around the novel city for FREE.
Next stop: St. Louis, Missouri. The Arch is magnificent. The downtown area has a beautiful park. We passed through quickly (no one to meet in St. Louie) but had a fun-filled day with everything we did again FREE! See me and my mom counting our money at Hooters! We stayed, ate and bought our gas on this entire trip for just over $500 for four people. Be sure to check out next Thursdays money-saving tips where I'll share how to accomplish this fabulous feat using my favorite restaurant clubs, hotel rewards and gasoline perks. Check out 25 Things to Do in St. Louis.
I love history and architecture! Our stops in Springfield, IL brought us to the Home of Lincoln and the Illinois State Capitol. You must visit the Lincoln House Museum (free), the Executive or Governor's Mansion (free), Dana-Thomas House, a Frank Lloyd Wright design ($15 for families) and the Illinois State Capitol (free).
CHICAGO has so much to offer! We simply spent a leisurely day on the waterfront FREE! The beauty of the area is worth way more than what money can buy.
We just couldn't get enough of this road trip. On the way home, we stopped at a Dairy Farm and finally downtown Louisville, Kentucky, again, all FREE!
We did SO much in seven days! I got exhausted making these collages. This blog was a great walk down memory lane for me. I had forgotten some of the amazing things we did for FREE on this vacation. I hope these links help you plan your trips to these locations. You can always find things to do for free on vacation!
Leave me a comment with your favorite free thing to do on vacation.
Good memories,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
Sunday, July 6, 2014
This is What the Fourth of July is all About!
Our vision was interrupted by rain as Steve and I drove up Gladiolus Drive to the busy intersection of Boy Scout Road. Three large roads feed into the main intersection in the coastal town of Fort Myers Florida. It was getting late into the day, the day after the fourth of July festivities and celebrations. We saw an occasional decorated vehicle from the earlier parade sitting along the sides of the road.
Before coming to a complete stop at the red light, Steve noticed a young woman crossing the road at the busy intersection. His concerned voice fired off questions. "What is she doing? Is she barefooted? Why is she crossing the road in traffic?" He took in more about this woman in a single glance than I could answer with one look. She wasn't barefoot. She had on a pair of nude flats with a classic fit white dress that stopped just about her slim knees. She instantly reminded me of Allie Hamilton.
My mind now conjured the same questions Steve had asked. "Why is she crossing the road in traffic? What is she doing?" and....in the rain! The light turned green. As we got close enough to make out what she was doing, she was in the middle of the intersection bending down to pick up something. What had she lost? Whatever it was, it was laying slap dab in the middle of the road.
As we drove past, we caught a glimpse of what she was rescuing. Our hearts were touched. Our minds were amazed but mostly our American pride was stirred. Steve said "She must be in the military! If you want to blog about something, blog about THAT!" This young lady risked life and limb to pick up a small American flag that had been left or lost on the highway. Steve amused again said "You know you're not supposed to do that, leave a flag on the ground."
SHE DIDN'T! We know that "Old Glory" is sitting proudly in a place of respect and dignity. As Steve said "Now, that's what the fourth of July is all about!"
Before coming to a complete stop at the red light, Steve noticed a young woman crossing the road at the busy intersection. His concerned voice fired off questions. "What is she doing? Is she barefooted? Why is she crossing the road in traffic?" He took in more about this woman in a single glance than I could answer with one look. She wasn't barefoot. She had on a pair of nude flats with a classic fit white dress that stopped just about her slim knees. She instantly reminded me of Allie Hamilton.
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Friday, May 16, 2014
I'll Always Remember My First
Wow! My last post was "What Happens When Dogs Lust"
and now "I'll Always Remember My First"!
You bet I will always remember my first! I'd always wanted to do it. I wondered if my Mom had ever done it. I figured she probably had. I talked to my friends to see if they had ever done it. Some surely had! Some hadn't. The ones that had described their experiences to me. Some had fun. Some were scared to death. I didn't really know how I would feel, it being my first time and all. I was pretty excited with a bit of apprehension mixed in. I wondered what people would think about me but I really didn't care. A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do! Right?
A friend asked me to do it. I agreed even though my first time was with not one but two women.
I bet you wouldn't guess in a million years what I did....
nope, that's not it!
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and now "I'll Always Remember My First"!
You bet I will always remember my first! I'd always wanted to do it. I wondered if my Mom had ever done it. I figured she probably had. I talked to my friends to see if they had ever done it. Some surely had! Some hadn't. The ones that had described their experiences to me. Some had fun. Some were scared to death. I didn't really know how I would feel, it being my first time and all. I was pretty excited with a bit of apprehension mixed in. I wondered what people would think about me but I really didn't care. A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do! Right?
A friend asked me to do it. I agreed even though my first time was with not one but two women.
I bet you wouldn't guess in a million years what I did....
nope, that's not it!
Nawh, not that either...
Give up?
Aerica (that's America without the "m"), Cassie and I took an ambulance ride! It wasn't as exciting as I imagined my first time. No flashing lights, no sirens but Cassie did test blow the horn one time (just for me)! We took my friend Nina to Memorial Hospital for a doctor visit. This is our best shot at a selfie or maybe it's a threeie!
We had a fun time. See the smiles. Of course, this was after we were safely back at home with Nina. They both did such a wonderful job of safely transporting us. I have to admit it felt a little like a trip with my Dad driving. The ambulance was a klunker and would barely pick up any speed. I'm sure if we had an emergency their company had one that would go faster, faster. I learned something. I can honestly say I've never seen the name Erica spelled Aerica. I also learned the meaning of the acronym BLS or Basic Life Support! You just never know what kind of knowledge awaits you in a ambulance.
I hope your back feels better soon Cassie (left) and I hope to get invited to your ladies group meeting at your church Aerica (right). Thanks ladies! I'll always remember my first.
Blessed with new friends,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
The Most Important Item on the Bucket List in 2014
I love a parade! Do you? Did you watch the Rose Parade 2014? This picture was taken of a float in an annual New Year's Rose Parade in Pasadena, California. The Rose Parade was an item on my bucket list that is now in the "done" column. The flowers were breathtaking! I definitely recommend seeing the parade in person. The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City is also in the "done" column of my bucket list. I also saw the St. Patrick's Day Parade in NYC. I've seen all the parades in Disney World. I just love a good parade.
I remember the parades but I don't remember the year I saw them. The dates really don't matter. I know I saw the parades. I have the memories of the days, the great feelings of seeing the parades and I even have some pictures. So the dates don't matter. I don't remember the date I accepted Jesus as my Savior either. Do you? The date doesn't matter. I have the memories of the day and the overwhelming feeling of the Holy Spirit every day. I KNOW it happened!
John 19:30 says "When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost." He died for our forgiveness. Accepting Christ is the most important item on the bucket list in 2014. Check it off! Please! Seek him and he will answer. Make two.zero.one.four the year to open the door to Jesus. If you can move this to the "done" column, you can joyously say "It is finished". I guarantee, salvation is an experience to remember...HAPPY NEW YEAR 2014!
Leave me a comment with a few of your bucket items for 2014. The only one I have is to find a successful work from home job so my husband can retire! Got any ideas?
Kicking the bucket,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
Saturday, December 21, 2013
Why Roadtrips are Better with your Husband Vol. 2
Earlier this year in April when I blogged Why Roadtrips are Better with your Husband, I had no idea we'd have so much fun in December that I'd have to blog "Why Roadtrips are Better with your Husband Vol. 2!" But here we are and here's why this trip was so funny!
.JPG "pooch")
We headed to Cape San Blas, Florida to look at buying a lot of land. The trip would be short, down there, spend the night, look at the lot and back home. I usually drive. Today, Steve decides he will drive. Our first destination is Enterprise, AL (30 minutes out of the way) because we have our noble pooch Hermie with us. Hampton Inn Enterprise is the only pet-friendly hotel inconveniently located anywhere on the entire route.
Hermie travels better than most adults. He rode to Florida and back without barking one time. Most people can't even go to the mailbox and back without at least passing loud gas, right?Amazing Canine!
Want to see what Hermie is so intrigued about in this pic? I typically pack a bit of snacks when we travel. Snacks avoids stopping to eat excessively and keeps me awake. I love Golden Flake Thin & Crispy potato chips which I packed for me. I brought along some gluten free pretzels for Steve.
I was the first to enjoy some of my potato chips from a brand new bag. Sometime later Steve reaches for some pretzels. He (still driving) is feeling around behind his seat and mine looking for the pretzels. I said "Let me find them for you." He said "No, I got them!" Pulling a bag from behind his seat, the next thing I saw was a cascade of potato chips as my entire bag of precious Golden Flake Thin & Crispy Chips were underneath Steve's feet! He picked up the open bag upside down.
Steve apologized profusely and then said "I guess you won't be eating your favorite midnight snack tonight" while Hermie nobly sought to lick up the mess. No, we didn't let him. Dogs shouldn't eat chips. I emptied the chips onto the grass of the hotel the next morning feeling a couple of ounces lighter.
We were settled for the night and it's finally time to eat some drive thru dinner. We had pulled through Arby's and I was surprised when Steve agreed to three Roast Beef Jr. sandwiches. I was the first to complain because my Ham-n-Cheese Jr. that I requested swiss cheese on instead of cheddar looked like this...
For a woman who don't like cheese, this was disgusting! Steve took his sandwiches out of the bag, unwrapped them looking ticked off and said "What is this?" "3 Roast Beef Jrs." I said. He replied "You know I don't eat junior nothings! I could eat all this gluten and it wouldn't bother me!" No, he really couldn't but I certainly didn't say that. He removed the tiny slabs of roast beef from the buns, sopped up some of my cheese with them and ate while continuously shaking his head in disbelief. "Those large ladies at Arby's are probably still laughing at me saying "Look what's he's eating!".
I couldn't stop laughing when he accidentally spit out a chunk of roast beef while talking, grabbed it up from the hotel table and ate it! This was so unlike my husband. He said "I can't afford to blow out a junior chunk and not eat it!"
I fed Hermie from a bowl I brought and used my mom skills to find a water bowl.
Steve may have been unhappy with my food selections for him but Hermie was my friend.
Uneventful night and next morning, we looked for a Hardee's to get a biscuit. We both ordered sausage of some sort and was cracked up to see this at the front of the building.
A load of hogs! Boy, did that sausage taste fresh! We looked at the lot. I loved it! Steve said it was too low and was afraid of water restrictions. I suppose he was right. After all, it was in a flood zone but it was RIGHT ACROSS THE ROAD FROM THE BEACH!!! We canceled our contract on the lot when we got home. Epic fail but epic fun! Be sure to check out a funny house hunting trip with my daughter in 5 Ways Not to Shop for a Beach House in Florida.
Leave me a comment with something fun you've done with your husband. Trips, I'm talking about trips. lol
Having fun with food fiascoes,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
.JPG "pooch")
We headed to Cape San Blas, Florida to look at buying a lot of land. The trip would be short, down there, spend the night, look at the lot and back home. I usually drive. Today, Steve decides he will drive. Our first destination is Enterprise, AL (30 minutes out of the way) because we have our noble pooch Hermie with us. Hampton Inn Enterprise is the only pet-friendly hotel inconveniently located anywhere on the entire route.Hermie travels better than most adults. He rode to Florida and back without barking one time. Most people can't even go to the mailbox and back without at least passing loud gas, right?Amazing Canine!
Want to see what Hermie is so intrigued about in this pic? I typically pack a bit of snacks when we travel. Snacks avoids stopping to eat excessively and keeps me awake. I love Golden Flake Thin & Crispy potato chips which I packed for me. I brought along some gluten free pretzels for Steve.
I was the first to enjoy some of my potato chips from a brand new bag. Sometime later Steve reaches for some pretzels. He (still driving) is feeling around behind his seat and mine looking for the pretzels. I said "Let me find them for you." He said "No, I got them!" Pulling a bag from behind his seat, the next thing I saw was a cascade of potato chips as my entire bag of precious Golden Flake Thin & Crispy Chips were underneath Steve's feet! He picked up the open bag upside down.
Steve apologized profusely and then said "I guess you won't be eating your favorite midnight snack tonight" while Hermie nobly sought to lick up the mess. No, we didn't let him. Dogs shouldn't eat chips. I emptied the chips onto the grass of the hotel the next morning feeling a couple of ounces lighter.
We were settled for the night and it's finally time to eat some drive thru dinner. We had pulled through Arby's and I was surprised when Steve agreed to three Roast Beef Jr. sandwiches. I was the first to complain because my Ham-n-Cheese Jr. that I requested swiss cheese on instead of cheddar looked like this...
I couldn't stop laughing when he accidentally spit out a chunk of roast beef while talking, grabbed it up from the hotel table and ate it! This was so unlike my husband. He said "I can't afford to blow out a junior chunk and not eat it!"
I fed Hermie from a bowl I brought and used my mom skills to find a water bowl.
Leave me a comment with something fun you've done with your husband. Trips, I'm talking about trips. lol
Having fun with food fiascoes,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
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Monday, October 21, 2013
5 Travel Games for Seniors
Last weekend, on a quick trip to Cape San Blas Florida
I suddenly realized my husband and I are getting old
This stark realization happened while riding around the state
I turned to Steve and said,
"We're riding around like OLD people!"
Later that evening this post came to me
somewhat witty, somewhat humurous
kinda scary but absolutely true!
When physical activity gets limited by
sheer "I've-earned-this-tude" and/or achy bones,
you gotta try
5 Travel Games for Seniors
Bird Spotting
Bird spotting as opposed to bird watching
We saw this awesome group of rare white pelicans
too far off the road for my iphone camera
but interesting to see none-the-less
we also spotted a bald eagle
Name your Distance
Akin to "Name that Tune" but different
Not sure if bladders shrink and colons expand
when getting older but I do know
these sign become very important
There is a definite sport in naming whether you
can make it to the next one or
"We need to STOP NOW!"
Unexpected Photo Bombing
You can see some interesting things on a state highway
things you need a picture for, like, say....a blog.
We actually stopped for these and just
look how they turned out.
We couldn't manage this again if we tried
I also challenge you to make the passenger
mirror on your car look like mine!
Me and garage doors play games sometimes
and they always win...
What's your pressure?
NOT EVEN KIDDING...
We stayed with my in-laws and
noticing a blood pressure monitor on the table
I challenged them to a "What's your pressure?" game
Seniors are touchy about their pressures
The rules: Take BP no more than two times
Choose the lower of the two for your number
Take BP pills, add 10 points to your top number
Don't take BP pills, subtract 10 points
No, don't really add or subtract
but this could be a really interesting game
Vary it with your temperature, your blood sugar, reading an eye chart
you get the picture...
Are you Braver than a 5th Grader?
Every time I pulled into a property
(we were looking at lots for sale)
that had a "No Trespassing" sign on it
I thought Steve would have a heart attack
and...it's possible!
I kept saying "I'm not trespassing, I'm looking!"
There is a difference.
We had a great short trip to the Cape
Try 5 Travel Games for Seniors
on your next outing and let me know the results!
Hope your trips are as adventurous
and fun as ours always are.
Lovin' these games,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
Do you have any fun games to add to this list? Leave them in the comments!
Monday, July 15, 2013
London Day 3 - Regent's Park home of "The Queen's Garden"
Standing in line to see the Crown Jewels, we met a couple from Atlanta (go figure!). "You shouldn't miss the Queen's Garden in Regent's Park" they said. Asking our tour guide about Regent's Park, he advised us to go to Kensington Gardens instead. Kensington is the home to the palace where Diana lived until her untimely passing. "There's a wonderful flower garden there as well" Chris said! Prepare for it. Get ready......
This is the "Flower Walk" in Kensington Garden. Not quite what we expected but we did enjoy a quick bike ride through the park (such a relief on our aching feet)!
Kensington Palace wasn't much to see from the outside either. We are still hoping we didn't find the gardens. The palace was under construction. Will and Kate will reside here after the birth of the royal baby.
As for the Queen's Garden in Regent's Park, the Atlanta couple was RIGHT! We saw some of the prettiest, largest, most fragrant roses ever. Some bushes were head high! Sydnee is 5'5".
Trust me, these photos do not do the Queen's Garden justice! My Mom was astounded at the size of the roses. Some were as big around as your head! Even the trash cans looked majestic (middle pic at the bottom)! We were refreshed from the beauty of the garden and walked another five miles afterwards. No joke! This garden experience was the perfect end to our trip to London. Goodbye U.K., hello France!
Loved the fragrance wafting up my nose,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
As for the Queen's Garden in Regent's Park, the Atlanta couple was RIGHT! We saw some of the prettiest, largest, most fragrant roses ever. Some bushes were head high! Sydnee is 5'5".
Loved the fragrance wafting up my nose,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
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