College Chaos

It's that time.  My oldest is trying to decide what to do with his life....where to go to college, what career to pursue, should he go into the military, a trade school or technical school...ugh.
It's actually just as hard watching him go through this. I don't want to steer him wrong....Lord knows I'm not the best adviser when it comes to big life decisions.

Soccer has opened a few doors for him, possibly....BUT wouldn't you just know it, most days he leans toward learning a trade. Following in the footsteps of all my uncles and grandfather.  Other days, it's teaching he's most interested in. Personally I think he'd make an excellent teacher...it's the years of schooling that would be an issue.  

I know it is his choice, and the more I 'push' a direction the better chance I have of him going the opposite way ( he is his mother's son afterall..)
For the longest time we were set. The Coast Guard was it. He was going to enlist when he turned 18 and that's that. Well, that's all changed. The current administration does not sit well with him, and he's not at all confident of turning his life over to the Commander in Chief. 

That's fine with me, I like having the boy around...and i'm quite used to being entirely unsure of the future!
Checking out colleges is fun though...and maybe just maybe I'll finally figure out what I want to be when I grow up!

Argentina Adventuring

Looking into adventure Tours in Argentina  and things like ski trips, scuba diving, kayaking, white water rafting, mountain climbing come to mind...but honestly the one trip that stands out to me is trekking. Yes, I know, it seems a little unadventurous, but if I'm going to head out to another country to explore....I want to see the countryside and what better way than to walk.  There is even an area in Argentina that you can walk on a gigantic glacier. Slightly unexpected and intriquing.

As for Hotels in Argentina the El Casco is breathtaking. Located on the lake, this hotel is dedicated to artists. Each of the 33 rooms feature a different artist, in addition to their specially designed gardens and famous sculptures by Argentinians and European artists. One of a kind venue.

Hotel Nogaró is a one of many gorgeous Hotels in Buenos Aires. 
Located right downtown, this beautiful old building is in walking distance to many more adventures. A camera, notepad and comfy shoes would be all I'll need when I travel to Argentina

Another neat option for a place to stay is one of the cabin-like Hotels in El Calafat. The Santa Mónica Aparts Hotel was built in 1912 and offers loads of amenities and help in planning your excursions.

Argentina...soccer...wine....passionate people...penguins, flamingos, caimans, capybaras and more and more and more.  plan a trip to our neighbor to the south.

World Cup Soccer

The Soccer World Cup 2010 is being held in Johannesburg, South Africa ..this year, tempting isn't it?  Planning a trip to Johannesburg is as easy as typing in Cheaper than Hotels, browsing through the great deals and booking a flight.  ( oh yeah, and getting time off work, applying for a passport, arranging finances...details details...)
In years past, my family ends up watching the World Cup at bizarre hours. 3 am game?  Set your alarm and meet me in the family room...Taking a trip to South Africa would be worth it.   I love love love to travel and love love love soccer, so its not so far out of the question.

I'll have to brush up on my world soccer knowledge before hitting the streets though, soccer has extremely passionate fans. This website is full of facts. Things to know before walking the streets of Johannesburg.

Booking early is the only way to guarantee lodging for the tournament though. Cheaper Than Hotels is really a great resource, gives info on each hotel in the area, the prices, accommodations, and the best part is...this site saves you money!

Choose from Mount Nelson's 5 star luxury hotel for $580 a night  or Lord Charles hotel for only $77 a night.

World Cup soccer in a gorgeous country...book now! 

Have ball, will travel

After a stunning soccer season for my oldest son...a perfect season, 18-0, won the State Championship, then went to the National tournament in Tennessee...and won!  Plus they took the Sportsmanship award AND my son won the Most Valuable Defensive player award and made it to the All Tournament team.
This was a stellar year.    Makes a mama proud.

I'd love to see him go on with soccer, college, pro, coaching something...he is really talented ( and that's not just a mom talking) The MVP award was given upon recommendation from all the other coaches and the refs at the tournament...a unanimous decision this year.

The 2010 World Cup in South Africa takes place 214 days from now, according to their countdown on the official FIFA website

Taking a trip to Johannesburg would be awesome, these would be incredible games to see in person. From personal experience from attending the National tournament in Tennessee, I highly recommend booking in advance..214 days in advance is not too far.  I know a year is sometimes not quite enough for the hotel I want in Tennessee.   

Booking through Cheaper than Hotels is really the way to go. From this site you can find the availability of South African Hotels and compare rates. Browse the images and learn more about the region as you search for the right hotel.  I love this quaint 4 star hotel in Johannesburg, Sunnyside Park Hotel.

Taking the family to Tennessee was so much fun, good time to explore and watch great soccer...I can only imagine the incredible memories a trip to see the 2010 World Cup would be.

Maybe he can still try-out......

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie

Christmas is coming...and in my neck of the woods that means the onslaught of snow days, and sleep overs that seemingly never end. Friends and relatives hanging out to watch sporting events and kids planning movie nights..even date nights.

Considering purchasing a new TV...and like one of my favorite books, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, that new TV will cause my family to want a new player DVD and then my husband will want a home theater system and the little ones will ask for some new movies....  and I'll want a bigger house....

too nice

Hmmmmm....bills are a tricky business.  In an article for the Entrepreneur Bright Hub channel I did last month, I discussed how to fund a start up business 'on a shoestring'. Part of the strategy I outlined, was something that...although I practice...hate.  Basically being a slow payer, yet expect fast payment. Keep the money flowing in, while holding onto the money I have as long as possible.

I hate it, because my memory is short and my attention span shorter...things get forgotten....if this was an advice article, I'd say keep better records...but it's not, so I won't. Luckily though, business wise I've never had to use a collection agency.   I am quite familiar with collection agencies though, and them with me. 

Over the years medical collection agencies have become like family, stopping by during dinner like clockwork, calling me by my first name, knowing the exact day I get my paycheck. They often know much more about my situations then my closest friends.

Back to business though, I would hate to have to call on my clients, asking for money, I'd just as soon say forget it, I understand...but then I couldn't call what I do work, might as well just put big bows on my stuff and enclose a card.  Collection agencies are necessary, I suppose...and I totally understand the third party idea...there are only so many times a business owner can call upon his accounts before hard feelings are formed. 
 

Destination, Coffee, USA

Today is the day of the State Soccer Finals, in Xenia, Ohio...my son's varsity team has had a perfect year and that's not just a cliche', literally a perfect year, 17-0, each game won by more than one point....the qualifying regional game was embarrassing (for the other team) they won 11-0.
So we are heading out for an all day adventure.  Leaving home at 8 am..coffee....drive drive coffee drive...warm ups...coffee, then game at 2pm.....cheer, cheer,coffee, cheer...celebrate their win and head home....
My simple question is, after "where is Xenia?" is "what is in Xenia?"  Checked out Just Click Local and found out, this site is cool, it's nationwide with 15,000,000....nice.

So, where else are we going in the next year...Tenneseee, this is handy for the trip down and back, but once there I stay put in the campgrounds..   Hopefully we will make it to Atlanta, Georgia, 

Will need all the help I can get if I'm going to navigate a city with a freeway that looks like this!

With a senior gunning for a soccer scholarship, we will most likely be off to Buffalo, NY ....(and mom will need to find her coffee)   And probably looking at making a drive down to St. Louis, MO 
I like sites that spell it out for me, type in coffee and there ya go...all the local spots with directions and ratings. Nice.

chowda

While I'm fantasizing...and feeling guilty for bashing the US....a little, Spain, come on now....Anyways, I have to wonder sometimes why I stay landlocked in Ohio, when there are so many gorgeous places to live in the States.
If you count the Great Lakes, then I'm not completely landlocked...but the so called "North Coast" is small potatoes compared to the Atlantic or the Pacific.
Maybe I should look into Boston Real Estate. Near the harbor..I'm sure my midwestern accent would stand out like a sore thumb, darn speech classes....but I don't talk to too many people.
Boston Lofts look perfect. High ceilings, downtown, ocean views...ahhhhh.  I even like sweaters and love Chowda. That was clearly the highlight of the Red Sox game for me a few years back, listening to the concession workers hawking "chowda", "any one want some chowda" "chowda here"
That amused me. (baseball rarely holds my gnat like attention span)

Bushari Group Real Estate
will be getting a call when my book goes best seller...I could find some Boston luxury real estate, a nice loft like this one, slip on a warm sweater and wander down to the harbor to contemplate my next masterpiece....  

 

or just step out of my tiny house in Cleveland and imagine...

Enchanted Sailing

My apologies to Myrtle Beach Hotels, the previous blog post was written with the expensive (for no apparent reason) motels off the Tennessee freeway in mind. I've been in some Myrtle Beach accommodations that could rival Spain, er, with the minor detail they aren't located in Spain....

As the leaves are falling off the trees here, and the weather going from sweater to light jacket to full on parka...considering the beach is a nice fantasy.

"Enchanted Sailing" is a feature I ran across that has me checking out setting up my Myrtle beach accommodation.  That would be an excellent birthday activity for my water obsessed soon to be 18 year old son.
Grandma, hint, hint....