First Hail Storm of the Season

This is our front door......

Back yard......I promise this is hail...You aren't seeing snow!!!!!

Travel Industry

This group is for all those who have experienced the fabulous glories and suffered the deep indignities of a career in any facet of the travel industry. (also for those friends, family, loved ones who've known someone in the industry, because, come on, face it, you absolutely worked it when you could)
YOU KNOW YOU'VE WORKED IN THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY WHEN:
* You've said at one point or another in your career the sentence (or some variation of): "Yeah, the pay is shitty but the benefits are great."
* You actually know what "fam" in the term "fam trip" stands for.
* You know what an IATAN card is.
* You remember when an IATAN card actually was worth a damn.
* You've had to explain basic geography at some point in your life to some bozo, such as the fact that there's no bridge that connects California to the Hawaiian Islands. Or that Baja California isn't part of California.
* You've had to diplomatically remind someone that Alaska is actually part of the United States and you don't need a passport to get there.
* At one point or another in your past, you received a very nice complimentary upgrade to an oceanview room, but were still secretly just a teensy bit miffed because you knew that oceanfront suite was just sitting there unoccupied.
* You roll your eyes whenever a friend or relative asks you if you can get them a "good deal" to Vegas, even though your specialty or line of work has absolutely nothing to do with Vegas.
* Your friends ask your advice on trip planning and then completely ignore it and then end up having a completely rotten vacation. And you're satisfyingly smug about it.
* You can use terms like "yield management" in cocktail conversation and keep a straight face.
* You remember when - or at least know about - the time when airlines actually paid commission to travel agents.
* You've had a friend or relative say to you at one point or another: "Why do I need a travel professional? I can book it all myself on the Internet?" And you've let them do it, just to prove a point.
* At one point or another in your life you've either known about, used, sworn at, kicked, or spat on one of the following: SABRE, APOLLO, PARS, WORLDSPAN.
* You realize that your boyfriend/girlfriend/life partner/dog/cat is not staying with you out of love or devotion, but merely for the travel benefits.
* You've had to explain to someone at one point or another the fact that "non-refundable" actually really means you're not going to get your money back.
* You know the difference between a 777-200 and a 777-300 and it makes perfect sense to you that you would know that.
* You know exactly who you're talking to and why when to talk to the "F & B Manager" at a hotel.
* You've flown in First Class for free while your friends have been huddled together far back in Coach and you were way too comfortable to go back and say hi to them. For God's Sakes, you'll seem them when you get there!
* On the one hand, you've kicked yourself a thousand times for staying in the travel industry as long as you have or did, and on the other, you tell yourself that if you had to do it all over again, you actually probably really would


Oh, and this is my absolute favorite:
I am a Travel Agent:
I am a travel agent....I have advance degrees in accounting, public relations, marketing, business building, computer science, civil engineering, and Swahili.
I am a travel agent....Of course I remember the reservation you booked six years ago, even though you don't have a confirmation number and you think it was made under a last name that begins with a T.
I am a travel agent....It's no problem for me to give you seven connecting non-smoking poolside suites with 2 king beds and 4 rollaways in each, and yes, it is my fault that the hotel does not have a helicopter pad.
I am a travel agent....I speak all languages and have visited Every destination.
I am a travel agent....It's obvious to me when you book your reservation for Friday, you really mean Saturday.
I am a travel agent....My company has entrusted me with financial information, and yet I can't tell you why your hotel bill for March 1989 had a .50 per phone call because, of course, you shouldn't have to pay for calls.
I am a travel agent....I understand that Joe Blow Ltd. is a vast empire and will make or break my agency.
I am a travel agent....Yes, I am lying when I say there are no seats left at the lowest price.
I am a travel agent....No, it's not a problem for me to quickly construct several more guest rooms at the hotel you want, and this time I will not forget the helicopter landing pad!
I am a travel agent....I am capable of checking fares for three people, taking five reservations and answering fifteen calls simultaneously.
I am a travel agent....I always know where to find the best vegetarian, kosher, and Mongolian barbecue restaurants.
I am a travel agent....I know exactly what to do in all cities without spending money.
I am a travel agent....I take responsibility for airline food, traffic jams, rental car flat tires, weather, hotel locations, and the national economy.
I am a travel agent....Of course I can fit you into the hotel at the special corporate rate because you are affiliated with the Blackburn North Lawn Bowls club.
I am a travel agent... I am never offended when I spend 10 hours researching a 12 day Europe itinerary only to hear you say you "booked it yourself over the internet and saved $30 !!!" I also never gloat when you call back to say the rate was sold out or that you are stuck in the middle of no where since they cancelled your flight and you cannot "call" your internet provider to be protected on another flight.
I am a travel agent... I love when people walk up to me at parties and out of the blue expect me to know the latest airlines fares from Melbourne to Ibiza via Byron Bay, the Maldives and Nairobi "off the top of my head".
I am a travel agent... I love that everyone assumes I get to travel everywhere for free and when I do get to take advantage of a perk people act like it is a sin against nature. If you ask me to get you the rate at my "travel agent discount" I will kill you.
I am a travel agent...Don't bother telling me any dates or cities since I am a mind reader and already have the reservation in my crystal ball before you can tell me.
I smile, empathize, sympathize, console, cajole, up-sell, down-sell, cross-sell, perform, sing, dance, make coffee and fix the printer.................. I am your travel agent!!

Just a little taste of my life......

It can't keep getting worse..right?

Last night at 6p my sister gets a phone call from her full time nanny position to let her know via voicemail that they are going to have the mom quit her full time job and stay home with the kids. So over freaking VOICEMAIL she was laid off too. Some people have no balls!!!!! Anywho..Starr is going to be fine and find herself a job that will work just as well.
I found out I am taking a paycut for 15 pay periods. That is exciting. I love it because we all know what happens after that...usually lay offs...so, my fingers are crossed.....

I just don't know how much more we are going to get thrown at my family!

Not trying to be so negative-I wish I could see the bright side. But, damn it is getting really dim over here.....

We just keep swimming....

Starr came home and surprised us with a watermelon and some Geraniums from the Farmer's Market by her house....We are also going to be painting Gabriella and Jacob's room this weekend and decorating it to their standards. :)

Brandon making sure our new room mates are happy and bike riders...

Aaron and Jeff are going to start a little lawn mowing deal for the summer around our neck of the woods. Hopefully that will help a little with the lack of income that is about to stop coming in. Aaron is also great at odds and ends around the house...See my shoe cubby he made for me. Awwww...

Also....ladies....let me know which date you want to book your Pure Romance party. We have 5/22, 5/29, 6/19 or 6/20. I promise you will have a blast!!!! We also have week night parties too if that is prefereable!!! If you have more than 15 people show up at your party you get a free massage if you book by the end of April...something to think about!!!!

Anyways..It seems all this job crap is taking the best of me. It is really hard somedays to keep a good attitude, when it seems that all around you things just suck!! People are taking pay cuts and barely making it...and I just still can't understand why Rick Effing Perry decided we don't need the additional help here in Texas. I hate this!!!

I am sitting here delaying working a little bit here. I have been swamped busy the last 3 days. Barely able to even get off of work on time...I know!!! That is unheard of! I bought these flat wraps at Wal-Mart to make wrap sandwiches. They are so yummy.....I made chicken salad with caesar salad dressing for lunch. It is very very tasty.

Pancho is recovering from her drooling episodes. LOL! It was so gross. I think she was way too over stimulated with Coco being here for the week. We even got a visit from Rupert again too. The first pic is Coco and Pancho looking out the window while I admire my garden....Than the second is them both passed out from playing too much. The last one is Aaron's feet and Pancho going to get all comfy in between them....

This is the overstimulation I speak of...this was 4 days like this....

Lastly...this is my solo rose bud....can't wait to see if this actually takes....

Here's to my monday...

45 minutes of Gillian Michaels on my Wii last night...here is to an hour today!!!! Go away fat!!! Here comes Bikini body again!!!!!

I don't really like the Gillian Michaels deal though..the controls barely register when you are doing things..However I sweat..so I am keeping it up for a whole month before I give up! After that...we will just go back to the regular wii fit...

I am just not into running anymore. Our neighborhood is just not runner friendly. There just ins't anywhere to go. I talk little Pancho out for walks daily..that is my outside work out!
Heck the last 4 days though..I feel like a terrible person if I walked her. She is so exhausted by playing with Rupert and Coco that she started drooling like all the time. It is so gross...If she doesn't stop it after Coco goes home...I will take to vet..but she is eating and drinking and playing just as normal...so I am not worried..I think it is just over stimulation.

Oh and by the way....now Pancho won't eat out of her food dishes. She got her collar stuck on the stand and it wouldn't let go so she is scared of it. Any insight on how to get her eating from the bowl again. I have tried putting bones in it and peanut butter in it...after work I am heading to Pet Smart to get some canned food...Yes she is so spoiled..but dang it....it is always something.

Another funny that happened today....I got my new debit card in the mail. I didn't notice it was on Aaron's account. So, I had cut my card up not even thinking about it....so now I am out a debit card....and just have Aaron's stupid card....Actually...that is great..I'll just spend all his money!!! haha!

Lastly...I got Mariokart today....so after I get all set up on it..I'll let ya'll know my Kart number...we can play!

Forgot to show you guys this...

I just love this little girl. She is one tired pooch today though...too many days of playing with the big dogs.

I have nothing new to talk about at this point. Weekend was fun. Starr apparently had a great weekend....although driving from New Braunfels to Ft. Worth should not take 7 hours...LOL...I was having a selfish weekend however, didn't get to live up to my selfishness....Gabriella and I planted new flowers in the garden. I will update pictures either later or tomorrow. I am on vacation today just lounging around doing nothing...it is sooooo nice!!!!!

Went to the dentist this morning. No cavities again. Yeah!!!! I rock!

We have Coco for the week....so it will be another interesting week for the modern day Brady Bunch....we have Pancho, Coco, Aaron, Me, Brandon, Starr, Gabriella and Jacob. I love it!!!

This could be a long one....

Where to start....Well Indian Bluff Trail has been quite hoping the last couple months. Starr and the kiddos are now permanent residents here along with Brandon still and Pancho and Aaron and I...so they will be included in these tales....Yes everyone, that makes a total of 7 in the house..we are the modern day Brady Bunch...

Jake has found Pancho's kennel to be the spot to play in. For some reason it is just the coolest place to be besides the stairs...that is the other spot to be.

Being around Gabriella and Jacob so much more has been so fun for me. Aunt She She is starting to be a little less anal..so keep praying for me on that...so I don't drive Starr or the kids nuts by saying no so much. LOL! Pancho even loves when the kids eat, because they want her to be included.

Tonite is Starr's eve of going down to New Braunfels for Bleu Edmondson..she is so excited that she is dropping the kiddos off at the Mama's house tonite to get all ready.

Brandon is going to a movie with friends...I think there is a girl involved but he won't disclose too much yet..More to follow on that.

Last night was ZZ Top and Billy Bob Thornton at Billy Bob's. Due to the steep ticket price, Aaron was the only one that went. I would have loved to go for the whole nastalga of it, but being on a Thursday night and the tough economy...I opted out. :( Aaron got us an autograph of Billy Bob Thornton and kept up with my Pic Whore status by getting me a ZZ Top Pic. Here are some highlights though....Excuse the shaky video...

What next...hmm-Well, we just found out that Jeff got laid off today. That is now 3 of my in-laws kids are laid off. Isn't that the scariest thing you ever heard. I am so over this crap of the crappy economy. I know Obama is "working" on this..but freaking get it going..and Perry you can kiss my ass if you think not taking some aid for the unemployed is a good idea....it has hit my family 3 freaking times this year...I think Texas can use some additional assistance!!!!!!

Oh here is pictures of my garden. We need to mulch, but since Aaron got laid off 2 weeks after we moved in, we didn't buy gutters yet..so new mulch will just wash away like all the old stuff did...so that is just going to have to wait. The first picture is my snap dragons that didn't die at all over the winter...they are going crazy. The others are the 40 tulip bulbs I planted. As they all keep blooming I will update new pictures. They look so pretty though. I go out front a couple times a day just to look at my pretty garden.

Well other than that..nothing else going on. I plan on just being blah tonite. I am not in the mood to be playing, I think it is going to be a lazy weekend for me...and than Sunday night is Big Love watching party at my house...Looking forward to that...I love that show!!!

Does anyone know how to stop grinding your teeth? I think while I sleep I have been grinding like crazy due the situations in the house....I swear it is not a comfortable thing either... :(

Love ya'll....

Day 2....

Last night was interesting. Beer and sleepyness do not mix well with me apparently. Thanks to Starr I am actually almost enjoying dancing. Shhh....!!! Aaron and I danced a couple dances last night....It isn't all that bad. Again...Shhh!!!!
hmmm...what else? Taco Casa for lunch today. Excited about that...and than Aaron is heading to ZZ Top for the night. Relaxing night at home is exactly what I need.....Miss Sheila can not hang like I used to. I sound like a 90 year old lady today...too much drinking and talking too loud nights...LOL!
Oh, I am also obsessed with Twitter....how in one day can I become obsessed with it...I don't know but it sure happened.

Ok-more to come later...going to shower and get ready for the day!!!!

We'll see...

Ok everyone....we will see how much I do this. Today is day 1.

Last night was a great night with friends. I love getting to have reunion nights. Sarah and Jess and I met at P. F. Changs for dinner and drinks. I love remembering how life used to be. I love my life now..but some days are just a reminder of how good it used to be. It used to be easy! Now a days you get married, lose jobs, see families go through hard times...this recession just blows...it makes it so hard to keep on keeping on somedays.

But, I am keeping on people!!!! Aaron has been out of a job since August. We were very fortunate for his severence package and are still doing fine on it...but it sure makes things a little tough still. I started a new business too. I am a Pure Romance consultant. Yup, I sell sex toys. We call them relationship enhancement products...

here is my website: http://sheilasymons.pureromance.com/

Let me know if you want to book a party or if you want to buy some of our awesome products.

Anywho...that is a good start. I am working on pictures of my garden and of Pancho's play date with Rupert...

Today is a great day!!!!!!!