Pre-vacation planning for the household – stop the mail!

Posted on January 16, 2013 by tvaldeegan

As I was creating my out-of-office plan for work, I realized that I usually run through a mental out-of-home plan, too. Besides packing for myself, the kids and the type of vacation we’re going on (warm, cold, camping, etc.), there’s also household things that need to happen while we’re away from the house.

  1. Stop mail delivery. I love that you can do it right online at www.usps.gov. Just choose home services and mail stop. Then you can choose whether you pick up the accumulated mail or they deliver it all at once.
  2. Stop newspaper. Yes, we still receive a newspaper although the home delivery is only three days per week. Our newspaper allows options to deliver accumulated papers, a credit or to donate to local schools; we always choose the schools option.
  3. Fish feeder. We have dogs that always need a sitter (grandma or grandpa) but the fish can fend for themselves with a feeder.
  4. Set thermostat. We have a programmable thermostat so we turn the heat down while we’re out of town. The future step would be to get one you can program with your phone or computer so we can have the house warmed up when we return!
  5. Lights. We used to have a plug-in timer that would turn a small lamp on and off but got out of the habit. Now that we travel a lot, I’d like to do that again.
  6. Packages. My husband receives a lot of packages in the mail, so we have a trusted neighbor that will move them inside while we’re gone. That way, they don’t accumulate on the porch as a signal that we’re not home.

Pack, check and repack.  If we’re going to a beach vacation, we must have the kids’ goggles, bathing suits and extra suits (they don’t dry hanging in a hotel bathroom). I usually move the kids’ summer clothes in a box in a spare closet when I get the winter clothes out, and then it’s easy to find the Crocs and flip flops, as well as shorts and T-shirts, when we are headed out of town.

And finally – clean sheets. I usually clean the house so it’s not a mess when we return and for some reason, I really love to come home from a trip to find fresh sheets on the bed. It just makes it feel so relaxing to be back in my own bed.

What did I miss? Do you have any pre-trip rituals?

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Room with a View at the Marriott Tampa Waterside

Posted on January 14, 2013 by tvaldeegan

It’s not every day that you can look out of your hotel room and see elephants. Or tigers. Or horses. We happened to be at the Marriott Tampa Waterside when the circus came to town. Right out of our window, we could see the elephants getting exercise and the horses in the training ring.

Ringling Brothers Circus TampaOh, and fireworks, too. We happened to be at the hotel on New Year’s Eve, and we had the perfect side room to see the Channelside fireworks right out of our room. We sat, in the beds with our kids, and looked out at the fireworks. No bugs, no weather and no worries – it was the perfect way to watch fireworks.

As far as the hotel, our room was nice, clean and roomy for our family of four. The balcony was a nice touch and the lobby was a scenic two-floor area with a view.

Something I hadn’t seen before in a room was that in place of a mini fridge or minibar, they had what they called a cooler. It had a note on the front that the temperature was in the 50s and that it wasn’t a fridge. I wonder why they’d go through the trouble of installing a cooler when travelers (especially those with families) would want a fridge.

The pool area was on the third floor and the water was warm, although the hot tub was fairly small for the large crowd gathered there.

I only tried one restaurant at the hotel, the Café Waterside, and a soup and a salad were $30. The salad did have some great tropical citrus flavors in the chicken and the dressing.Marriott Tampa Waterside salad

Outside of the hotel, the walk along the canal is gorgeous, with fantastic boats, a beautiful view and great weather. There’s also a small park on one side with a playscape for the kids. We had an easy walk down to the Channelside complex for dinner. Unfortunately, the movie theater there has closed, as well as several other businesses there.

Overall, the Tampa Marriott is in an ideal location for downtown and sports attractions with clean, comfortable rooms.

Disclosure: I traveled to the hotel for work. No compensation was received and this is my own personal review.

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Exploring Legoland Florida

Posted on January 9, 2013 by tvaldeegan

We were going to Florida for a combination vacation and work trip. I didn’t want to go to DisneyWorld for just a day or two because it always feels so rushed and not everyone gets to see what they want with that limited time – not to mention that it costs more for a shorter amount of days.

Legoland FloridaWe chose Legoland for our one-day funday. Since it had recently opened in Florida, we thought we’d see what the Florida version had to offer. We had been to the California Legoland a few years ago. Legoland Face Painting

Of course, I’m always searching for the best deals so I read online that the Lego magazine had a free kid’s ticket with a paid adult. Luckily, we still had one laying around so I was able to get both kids’ tickets for free.

We chose Christmas day for our trip. We flew to Florida on Christmas Eve, stayed at the Embassy Suites in Lake Buena Vista, and drove to Legoland for the day. When we woke up at the hotel, Santa had left two Lego bags with cash in each for our day. At the park, parking is $12 ($11 something plus tax, magically totaling $12) and the lot was fairly empty when we arrived.

Legoland Florida Star Wars MinilandLegoland had some nice holiday touches – a large Christmas tree (made of Legos, of course), santas hidden throughout miniland and some other sites throughout the park. Legoland Florida Cypress Gardens

The weather was overcast but not cold, making it a perfect day to walk around a theme park. The waterpark was closed because of the off-season but everything else was up and running.

I really like this park for the kids, who are 10 and 8. The rides are just their size and they especially love the driving school (unlike most theme parks where cars are on a track, these cars are on “roads” with stop signs and stoplights and the kids learn to navigate them.

The only problems we ran into, which were minor, were with food. Cap’n Brickbeard was listed on the printed map as “All American food” but when we walked over there, the sign said “Cap’n Brickbeard’s Burgers.” I know burgers are American but I was expecting more than only that, so we headed over to the all-you-can-eat pizza and pasta buffet. My son burned his finger on one of the pizza pans and the workers there would not give us any ice. They said we had to go to the first aid station and that they would get in trouble if they tried to help us. So I ended up using a bunch of napkins to put ice in for his finger.

Legoland Cypress Gardens Banyan TreeWe also walked around Cypress Gardens, a former park that Legoland preserved, and found the giant Banyan tree. The kids also liked finding the Travelocity gnomes that were placed around there, too.

Other than the incidents, the food was typical and filled us up for more explorations. My son was thrilled with the Star Wars miniland and was doing his best to find all of the santas (we ended up being a few short). My daughter was excited with the new Lego Friends store and seeing one of the characters outside.

All in all, it was a great Christmas day and we’d definitely visit again.

Note: No compensation was received for this post. We traveled and attended on our own. 

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A Visit to Orange Lake Resort Holiday Inn Vacation Club

Posted on January 7, 2013 by tvaldeegan

Ah, the weather. When you’re in Florida in December, it’s like a box of chocolates where each day can be something completely different. Our first day at the Holiday Inn Vacation Club’s Orange Lake Resort in Kissimmee, Florida, we were just headed out to check out the pool complex and video arcade when it started to rain.

Orange Lake Resort master bedroomComing from Michigan, my kids immediately ran out into the rain and danced around. Warm rain is a novelty in the north so it did not deter them. Luckily, our spacious unit had a washer and dryer so the clothes were OK. Orange Lake Resort Dining area

The condo unit in our East Village location was like having our own apartment on the road – two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a full kitchen, washer, dryer and balcony.

We had dinner at the Legacy Sports Bar & Grill, which was in our village. And you really need to realize this place has villages – it’s so large that it could be its own small town. When you arrive, you’re provided with a map of all of the villages and areas, much like when you visit a theme park, although I think the resort may be larger!Legends Walk Night Golf

Orange Lake Resort Master BathOur second day, we headed out to the River Island complex. We experienced the Putt-Putt golf, the hippo inflatable water slide, the lazy river, hot tub and the arcade. Whew, it took us the better part of the day but the kids weren’t to be deterred – even without super warm weather. The pools and river were heated and the hot tub is good in any weather.Orange Lake Resort Hippo water slide

At night, we headed out as a family to the Legends Walk golf course, a family-friendly (read: easier than usual courses) that’s lighted for night play. My kids played and giggled and ran around in the night.

Orange Lake Resort River Island area

It was a short stay but I could see a family spending more than a week there. We never made it to the tennis courts, beach and other villages. There’s so much to see and do here – you may never make it to the nearby theme parks.

Note: My husband and our family received complimentary lodging. This review was not part of the agreement or expected, and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Review: Embassy Suites Lake Buena Vista

Posted on January 4, 2013 by tvaldeegan

I was searching for a hotel for my family to stay at the night before we were headed to Legoland Florida. Legoland is not right by all of the attractions in the Orlando area but rather midway between Tampa and Orlando. We flew in to Tampa but didn’t need to stay there.

Embassy Suites Lake Buena VistaI was looking for a few things in a family-friendly hotel – free parking, a decent room, a decent price and breakfast would be a bonus. Because we flew in mid-afternoon, I wanted my family to be able to go outside and enjoy the day, as well.Embassy Suites Lake Buena Vista Pool

Ultimately, I chose the Embassy Suites in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Just outside of Orlando and very close to Disney, this hotel had a bedroom, breakfast included as well as the manager’s reception in the evening. It also has a heated pool, hot tub, tennis court, basketball court and sand volleyball – enough to entertain my energetic family.

Embassy Suites Lake Buena Vista HottubWe arrived on Christmas Eve, so I knew we weren’t going to have many options outside of the hotel that would be open and if open, not crowded. After we checked in, we found a note that said happy holidays with some wrapped sugar cookies and a milk in the fridge. Also, they had left a couple of packets of hot chocolate on the counter. Our kids were thrilled. Embassy Suites Lake Buena Vista playground

After exploring the grounds, we went back to the room and grabbed our tennis rackets. We wanted to hit the courts before the early darkness came. Mother Nature has hit the courts a bit so parts are bumpy but it’s good enough for messing around and hitting the ball. Outside of the fence, there are ponds on both sides, so we were able to see some wonderful Florida birds and a crazy squirrel running around.

Embassy Suites Lake Buena Vista tennisAfter tennis, we changed into our suits. The pool was heated but a tad chilly for mom, so I supervised as the kids splashed and laughed. I joined them in the hot tub, although we couldn’t seem to get the jets going. Embassy Suites Lake Buena Vista Basketball

We then went to the manager’s reception and the kids loved the slushies. Of course, mom and dad liked the sangria and margaritas. Because it was the holidays, they had a hot snack of egg rolls along with the chips and popcorn.

We were only at the Embassy Suites in Lake Buena Vista for one night but it was a great choice and a short 40-minute drive to Legoland the next day.

Note: I did not receive any compensation for the stay or this post. It was purely on our own and I wanted to review my experience.

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Haunted

Posted on December 18, 2012 by tvaldeegan

I’ve been avoiding the media somewhat, but you can’t avoid what everyone’s talking about: the school shootings in Connecticut. I never knew I had connections there. Really, I wish I never had to find out.

A former classmate of mine lives there, but her boys go to the other elementary school.

My coworker is there, comforting his friends who are experiencing something that I cannot fathom.

I see them in my dreams and when I wake. I ache for them.

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Top 5 holiday victories

Posted on December 13, 2012 by tvaldeegan

1. Flights are booked

2. Rental car is reserved

3. Still deciding on hotel and activity for Christmas Day (Legoland? Nick Hotel in Orlando?)

4. eBay items sold (and I did so well that I listed a few more for 3-day auctions)

5. Christmas cards are done and mailed.

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Preparing for a road trip with kids

Posted on November 19, 2012 by tvaldeegan

We’re facing a 10- to 12-hour car ride with the kids this Thanksgiving and it’s not our first long car trip with them. Since they were young, we’ve braved planes, cars and ferries (no trains yet) with the kids to get where we want to go and to show them the larger world out there.

And the key to mostly sane travel is to prepare. (Unlike the one time my husband was on a flight with our infant son, who had an unfortunate blowout and another set of clothes were in checked luggage.)

Electronics, depending on how you view them, are a necessary evil. We were once on a flight from Michigan to Florida and the elderly lady next to me asked if she could give my kids $20 to split at the end of the flight. Because both kids were wired to their movies and games, neither made a peep for the entire flight and my row companion was clearly relieved and delighted. (We took the money because we were going to Disney, but we had a long talk with the kids about money from strangers, parental permission, etc.)

Books are essential but you also have to plan for when it’s too dark. On a 12-hour car ride, this is bound to be the case. The kids are somewhat starting to outgrow activity books, but they enjoy a good mad lib and that’s a fun game for everyone in the car.

At times, we resort to the tried-and-true car games – license plates from A-Z, “owning” animals on your side of the car window and one that my sister-in-law taught us with the alphabet sentences and alliteration: Auntie Arrived Already, Brad Bothers Babies, etc. The kids giggle away at those as they come up with their own.

Then, especially this time of the year, it becomes dark but it’s not anywhere near bedtime. The electronics come out, the headphones go in and peace overcomes the car ride, only to be interrupted with “I can’t find my movie case” or “When are we stopping for a restroom?” Chargers, cords and headphone wires aplenty when it’s times four but well worth it when everyone is seated in front of their glowing monitors.

And the golden rule of traveling with kids (which mine still don’t always do but quickly learn a lesson): when you stop (at an airport, hotel or restaurant), plug it in and charge it up.

Good luck out there on the open road.

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Under construction: The Sheraton New Orleans

Posted on November 15, 2012 by tvaldeegan

If you stay at the Sheraton in New Orleans in late 2012, they’ll tell you when you check in that construction will happen between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Some of the rooms available are newly renovated and some are renovations-in-waiting, one of which I stayed in.

Sheraton New OrleansOverall, the hotel and conference areas are an ideal location. Right on Canal Street, in easy walking to the sites and sounds that New Orleans is known for, the Sheraton towers above most buildings and faces the Marriott.

I didn’t make it to the pool or workout area but when I walked by, fitness enthusiasts were all full steam ahead in a brightly lit and clean area.Sheraton shower

The Pelican bar, in the lobby, is an open, airy place where you can grab a drink, see a game on a giant projector screen and get a bite from a bar menu. I had the four-cheese pizza, of which I was only able to tackle a portion.

I was in a to-be remodeled room and I could immediately see why they are under construction. After choosing the “green choice” for room service, I was dismayed to find that the bathtub faucet had a persistent drip that I could not stop. The showerhead was detaching from the wall and sprayed like a sprinkler when turned on. Based on the noise level during the day, the room is in line to be refurbished very soon.

Rooms at Sheraton New OrleansBut oh, what a view. When these rooms are completed, it will be a perfect place to stay in the Crescent City. The floor-to-ceiling windows look directly over Canal Street and at times you can hear the sounds of jazz drifting up.Canal Street New Orleans

I walked many places while here – along the river, to the quarter and to some indulgent restaurants. The Sheraton New Orleans is a central location and would be great for couples and families visiting the city. The Starbucks in the lobby gives you the boost you need in the morning, as well as the in-room coffee service that also has Starbucks.

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Going to New Orleans and eating burger is like …

Posted on November 14, 2012 by tvaldeegan

New Orleans is a great place to indulge – the coffee, the beignets, the booze, the food – almost too many options but really something for every kind of taste.

Going to New Orleans and eating burger is like … well, it’s actually a really good idea if you head to a restaurant expecting to order seafood only to see the majority of Foursquare tips directing you to the best burger in New Orleans.

Oyster bar at Luke Restaurant New OrleansWalking into Luke, a chef John Besh restaurant in New Orleans, one of the first things you see is the Oyster Bar, full of fresh seafood and you begin to imagine the choices on the menu.

And you check in on Foursquare. Then suddenly, you have a craving for a burger.

From the menu description, the lüke burger is Allan Benton’s bacon, caramelized onions, tomatoes, Emmenthaler Swiss cheese with house-made fries.Luke burger New Orleans

The bun was an onion roll and in order to make room for the deliciousness, I took off half of the bun to make room for the main course. It did not disappoint. The bacon was smoky, the burger had a fantastic grilled flavor and even the fries were perfectly crispy. My companion, who I was at a conference with, had the pork chop, which was the nightly special, and said it was a crime that she couldn’t finish all of it.

We didn’t have room for dessert but all indications pointed to the bread pudding. The couple dining next to us shared one and cleaned the plate.

So when in New Orleans, it’s always a good idea to try the oysters, but at Luke, it’s OK to give the burger a go. You won’t regret it.

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