First Full Day Away

Yesterday I took Mr S to the airport. He was headed to Idaho for a month.

A Whole Month!!

Now, I did sanction this trip (AKA...he asked me if I would be okay with him being gone that long before he committed to it).

But still...

What's really weird is that I'm usually a loner, anyway. I'm just used to having him around...to come home to, to share a bed with, to fight over the TV with.

Today was the first full day with out him. Honestly, it's all good. Nothing exciting happened.

And, to be honest, this isn't the first time we've been apart this long. He did a work trip last year for just as long. But I was able to go spend some time with him for the half of the first week, so it didn't seem so long. Finances won't allow that this time around.

Thankfully, since we're also moving next month (the week after he comes home we start the process), I have something to focus my time and energy on  while he's gone. The plan is to have all the non-essential stuff packed up and ready to go.

We'll see how accomplished that plan is come February 13!

Tuesday's Traveler

Well, I'm back in the saddle again...sort of. I'm on the road for work again. Can I just say that, despite the family tragedy we had two weeks ago, I really did enjoy having the time off. Granted there was no sleeping in (there wasn't much sleeping, period, the first few days) and there was A LOT of stress. But not having to worry about work was so nice.

I'm looking forward to our vacay in November where there isn't a family tragedy to warrant a few days off. I can just relax with my love at our favorite spot - Disneyland! We're actually going to stay at one of the Disneyland Resort Hotels in Anaheim this time and I'm very excited about that! I wanted to for our honeymoon, but since I was able to get two nights free at a close hotel we figured that was the prudent thing to do after dropping the wad we did on the wedding. Growing up is not all it's cracked up to be sometimes!

Well, on to my weekly travel post. I promised I would regale you with some of my past travel
experiences. I'll start with my first solo trip.

Back story number 1:  when an employee starts as a travel rep for the organization I work for, they have a trial time (like any good business would do) where you're learning the ropes of travel and are paired with other reps to see the different ways everyone does things. Prior to my solo, I had been on two (TWO) other trips. Now-a-days, new reps have either a 60 or 90 day trial where they don't go solo till after that time frame (I may or may not have caused that...no really, I'm not sure.  But that's another story for another day).

I was to travel to San Francisco with my supervisor for a very large conference (think around the 10,000 mark). We were to have a 10x10 booth space with a display, table, chairs, carpeting (because you have to have carpeting and you have to pay for it) and all our materials in the Moscone Center in downtown San Fran. Two women working a booth in San Francisco. It would be fun. I liked my supervisor and she was up on what sites to use to find great places to eat and so on as she had been doing this for about a year. And then, due to a family situation, she had to back out and send me on my own!!!

Back story number 2:  Up to this point, I have never been to California. I had only two trips, by my self, under my belt and that was to Virginia Beach to visit friends. Purely non-professional. All other trips were road trips no further than New Orleans (with friends) or west with my family (when I was younger).

I was so panicked! She had done all the planning for the trip, so I basically had to pick up where she left off based on her emails and such. I had never done all this before. All, TWO, of my previous trips, the other rep had handled all the details and I had just been along for the ride. Talk about being pushed into the deep end with no life vest. This was definitely sink or swim time!

And yet, somehow I survived! Once the initial panic wore off, I was able to make sure I had what I needed before leaving. I had no issues with flights on the way there or back. I found transportation to my hotel (Hilton on Farrell St). I discovered that I was within walking distance to the convention center, so there was no need for a taxi or shuttle the rest of the days. And I loved every minute of my trip (the conference was a bust for us and we haven't done it since, though). I even ventured into unknown territory by going to a little hole-in-the wall place for dinner one night. I had time one day to venture to the waterfront (Pier 39 and 41 ares) and Ghirardelli Square. I even took a boat tour of the harbor - out and under the Bay Bridge, around Alcatraz, and back to the docks. It was FANTASTIC!!

My only hiccup came when it was time to pack up my display and materials and ship them back. I didn't feel properly "trained" in what to do, so I did the best I could. And it worked out.

Here's a few of the pictures I took while at the pier and on the boat around the harbor:

Thanks for joining me this week. Please feel free to ask questions and I'll be more than happy to answer the ones I can (I won't give any names of people or where I work or conferences I attend). But I can pass on tips, stories, and/or pictures. 

Enjoy...

Crazy week

Hey, y'all!

I just wanted to apologize for being MIA the last few weeks, and this week.  It's been a bit crazy.  My travel for work has me, quite literally, driving all over the state I'm in (two weeks ago and this week). By the time I get to the hotel I have to unload my two suitcases (one with clothes, one with work materials), lay out my clothes (or iron, if needed) for the next day, prep my materials for all my stops the next day, homework, and my end of day paperwork (to help lighten the load for when I get back to the office), there just isn't much time left for blogging. Which I hate because I really enjoy telling y'all about my life...all 10 of you.  :)

BUT...I'm home the next two weeks. Hopefully I'll get back in the swing of things. I may even start write stuff and then set the schedule so that it'll just post when the day comes. And if it's a linky party, all I have to do is go back and link up that morning or evening. But that might be a little too adventurous for me...remember, I'm a procrastinator at heart.

This week I'm in Southern Idaho. It's mostly flat and a few hills. There are mountains, in the distance. It's actually kind of pretty though. I had a little time to spare today and stopped at a look out point for Snake River in Twin Falls. Very pretty. That may have to be one of my Thursday's Through The Lense Posts - trip pictures.

Well, off to prep for tomorrow. Adieus...

New series coming

For those of you that know me personally, you know that I travel for my job.  For those who have never met me except to read about my life here, I travel for my job!   

I started working with my company in 2003.  At that time there were only 25 employees and, at 24, I was the youngest (a title I retained for almost 3 years and we now have over 300 employees).  When I was hired, I was originally supposed to fill the position of receptionist.  That lasted 2 days.  My soon-to-be boss discovered I had accounting knowledge and pulled me into Business Affairs where I was to spend the next 4 years.  Just after my 4 year anniversary, there was an opening in our Marketing/Outreach department for a travel rep.  After seeking approval from my current boss and discussing the job requirements with the potential new boss, I applied and was accepted.  And I've been doing this for 5 years now.

I tell you all this because I'm going to start a new weekly post:  Tuesday's Traveler.  Tomorrow will, probably, be my first post in the series.  There will be stories, tips, and anything else I can think of.  There will be humor, I can promise you that. I have had some great experiences, and some not so great experiences (flight from hell via Chicago my first year traveling...more on that later). And, if I can take any that would apply to the topic or I want to build a topic around (like the travelers wardrobe or hotel views), there will be pictures.

I've been wanting to share some of my travel stories here, and I'm just now getting around to it.  Hopefully I can remember all that I want to say. If there is a traveling topic you'd like for me to cover, please let me know.  Just remember, I've only traveled in the continental US so far.  I can't give you anything about Hawaii, Alaska, or International travel...yet (I'm really hoping to add Hawaii to the list of places traveled by next year).

Stay tuned...

So What Wednesday

Hey, y'all!  It's that time of the week again.  And let me tell ya, I am so very happy that it is Wednesday already!  Just two more sleeps, a few hours, then the hubs and I (and about 8 others) are off to Vegas for the weekend!

But back to the real reason for this post: 




This week, I'm saying So What If:

* I still haven't fully unpacked from last week's trip.  I'm just going to have to pack it all again for next week...so I might as well save a few steps, right?  I am washing the dirty stuff, though!

* I moved all the clutter from the dining room to the spare room/office when we had company over for dinner two weeks ago...and it's still cluttering up the guest bed.  Once again, it's a good thing we don't have overnight guests very often!

* I really want this little blog-o-mine to grow, but I'm not really sure what direction to take it.  And I'm not really sure I have the time to commit to it either.  I mean, I am traveling for work every other week and I'm taking a class every month (which we all know, from previous posts, I'm not good at keeping up with that either).  So if you have suggestions, please feel free to comment.

* It takes me a good hour or two before I'm really able to concentrate on work.  Of course it doesn't help that working from home allows me the luxury of sleeping till about a half hour before I start my day.

* I have yet to order any of my wedding pictures!  The ones I want the way I want are EXPENSIVE!  And, living in an apartment, I'm not really sure where I want to put them yet.  I have a few ideas, but I'm still working it all out in my head.  I did, however, order another photo book for my mom!  And I have the rights to do what I want with them (hence the posting on Facebook).  I'll get a few on here, eventually.

* If we'll be sharing a room with other people and I fly out at 6:30 am Monday from Vegas.  I'm still very much looking forward to the weekend there with our friends.

* If most of the people going to Vegas, hubs included, will be playing in a volleyball tourney.  I'm still planning to have a great time!  Hopefully the hubs won't be too worn out each night and we can catch a show or something!

* I need to stop now and get back to work. 

Hugs...

Nail Files - Week 16

If you haven't already joined in, you should!  I've gotten a lot of great color ideas (and some tips to make that color last longer) from some of the folks that link in.  So, again, I'm joining this week with the ladies over at:

This week I didn't do as planned - my new Maven color, Jennifer, for my work trip.  I actually started the week with black nails left over from the weekend (sorry, no pic).  But on Tuesday, I did change them out (yes, I now take my nail color supplies on the road with me).

Here's Jennifer:

Unfortunately, hotel lighting isn't the greatest.  And to be honest, it looks like just have a coat of clear over my nails.  Jennifer is a very pale pink with barely any color once on the nail.  But it's there, I promise!

I'm home all next week so I think I might go crazy on the color again.  And, since I'm going to be in the main office the following week, I can do the same.  I prefer to keep the colors a little more low-key when when I'm on the road representing.

Hugs...

So What Wednesday

Today, again, I'm linking up with Shannon for...





So What If...

* once again, I should be doing school work instead of "playing".

* once again, I'm a day late getting my assignments in.

* I despise margarita salt...it's what's in the glass that counts, right?

* I look like a hot mess unloading my rental and hauling my crap to my room each night this week.  No really...two suitcases of varying sizes, a backpack, my camera bag (because I thought I might actually get some pictures this week...HA!), my purse, a bag of snacks, and my info bag (black satchel that carries all my materials for visits).  One Hot Mess coming right up!! 

* all I really want to do is crawl in that bed on the other side of this hotel room and sleep till I wake up.

* if my nails aren't exactly a professional color right now (think pale minty-greenish-glittery).  They are, however, not chipped since I put the color on Monday morning (that is an accomplishment for me).

* if I really am loving the new iPad Mr S bestowed upon me last week as an early birthday gift (my birthday is in May) despite my protesting that I didn't need one because I still had my old one (first gen).  I got a great new cover for it and an anti-glare screen protector.  LOVIN' IT!! 

* I'm planning to wear my Easter dress from EONS ago on Sunday.  No, really, I'm talking pre-move to Cali is when this dress dates back to (S, M, E, & B...think days of Brawny & Juan).  But it still fits in all the right places, isn't faded (because I don't do the dress thing very often...if ever), and, most importantly, it's COMFY!

And that's all I've got this week.

Hugs...

A new week...a new hotel

Yup...once again, my job has taken me away from my amazing Mr S, my comfy bed, and the comfort of my own home/office/couch/you get the idea. This travel gig is getting old, my friend! And, do you have any idea how hard it is to plan a wedding when you're gone every other week?! It's HARD!!!

But, nevertheless, I did some planning today (as I actually got into my final destination at a decent hour). I sent inquiries to about 6 potential places - vineyards, wineries, hotels w/rooms for receptions, restaurants, etc. I've heard back from three. One is booked (boo) for the 13th already. The others just sent me the info I requested - a little more detail that wasn't on the pages. The plan for next week is to look into taking Mr S to visit a few, if he's willing (more on that), and talk with people to see if there's anything we can work out with regards to money things. *most of these places are asking for 50% by 6 months out...well that's in two weeks, my friends, and I can GUARANTEE we don't have that kind of green stuff layin' around the dwelling place.* So I want to know if they have a "contingency" plan for couples like us...that start planning 6 months out. So that's what the next few weeks will entail for me.

Now, about Mr S...he's not so gung ho about the planning details. "All I need is a date, a tux, a time, and a place" he says (until I think about putting something in there he's not a fan of...then he steps right in with his "veto power"). Anyway...setting a date was like pulling teeth. Then I traumatized him by following that up with budget talks. Last week I sprung "gift registry" on him...he groaned, literally, like a child being told to clean his room and get ready for bed. I finally got him convinced to go one round of gift registry with me when I get home (BB&B) and I'd do the rest without him. He HATES to shop...no, really...absolutely HATES it (unless its the Apple Store, Frys, or Best Buy)!! The last time he bought clothes (other than socks) was two years ago when we were headed to FL/LA for a week. I think he may have bought some jeans since then, but that's how bad it is. The thought of gift registry makes him twitch. I'm just glad we reached a compromise there. :) That's why I'm a little unsure how "venue shopping" will be received, especially with the lack of funds right now. I'll keep ya posted on how that one goes.

Well, it's off to iron and sort things out for tomorrow. Oh, I'm in Minneapolis, in case I didn't mention it at the beginning. Yeah...my hotel is right across the street from the Mall of America!! WOOHOO for me!! Good thing Mr S isn't here...but then I could probably leave him at the Apple Store or the Amusement center and he'd be fine.

Hugs...