Weekend Sisters

Summer Reading

2010-07-14T19:46:00.000-05:00

My sisters and I love to read. We swap books on a regular basis. It is so fun to get involved in a book and the story line as a way to ease the stress of daily life.

My favorite books this summer include:

The Seven Year Switch by Claire Cook,
Bed Of Roses by Nora Roberts
Heart of the Matter by Emily Giffin
Promises to Keep by Jane Green

I would love to hear about what you are reading this summer!

Sisters - time to get back to blogging about fun times with my sisters!

2010-07-14T19:24:00.004-05:00

Gosh it is hard to believe that I haven't blogged since February. Everyday life including family and work got in the way. I have alot of information to share about fun things to do with your sisters or friends so I am planning to get back into posting information on a regular basis.

If anyone reads this blog, please let me know what types of fun things you do with your sisters or friends.

Have a great Week!

Debbie

I love Netflix!

2010-02-21T20:24:00.002-06:00

I love Netflix! It is so convenient to just build a list of my favorite movies that I want to see on their website. I then get the movies in the mail, watch them, return them, and start the fun cycle all over again. Plus, there is convenience of watching movies immediately using a Wii or my laptop.

Blockbuster - it is no wonder you are in financial trouble. Also, it is nice that Red Box rents movies for a dollar but I still need to leave my house to get the movie.

Netflix is one of a girl's best friends!

Weekend Sisters Recommends the Aveda Institute in Dallas, TX

2010-02-21T20:02:00.008-06:00

Are you tired of paying outrageous prices for hair cuts and color? Are you into natural and eco friendly products? Then you need to check out the Aveda Institute in Dallas, TX.

The Dallas Aveda Institute is a cosmetology school that offers hair and estethic services at a great discount. All services are provided by a student but they are closely supervised by an Instructor. The school opened in July and is located at 8188 Park Lane, Dallas - just across Hwy 75 from the North Park Mall.

The Aveda Institute is the most awesome salon that I have ever visited. As you walk through the front door, the alluring smell of the Aveda products permeates the air. It smells so good! The staff is friendly and goes above and beyond to welcome you. The salon area is lined with stone and water features. The work stations are clean and sleak. Aveda products are used for all services.

The Aveda students have great attitudes. They are professional and focused on delivering quality services for hair cuts, color, manicures, pedicures, facials, etc.

I highly recommend that you check out the salon on the Aveda.com website and give their booking desk a call at 214-363-1291. The Aveda Institute is open for services Tuesday through Saturday. You won't be disappointed.

Weekend Sisters Recommends 55 Degrees Wine Bar in Plano, TX

2010-02-21T19:54:00.003-06:00

Recently, my husband and I discovered the 55 Degrees Wine Bar located on the NE corner of Preston and Parker Roads in Plano, TX. 55 Degrees is a little gem in the Plano suburbs that is a great place to go for a date night with your husband or for girls night out. Not only do they have a large selection of wines, they also serve appetizers, sandwiches, and dinner entrees.

55 Degrees has entertainment on weekends ranging from a solo sax or guitar player to a latin jazz band. There is even a small dance floor so that you practice your dance moves.

55 Degrees is a great little place to go for just one drink or to hang out for several hours enjoying the food, drinks, music and friends.

Weekend Sisters Recommends Spring Hill Suites in Chicago

2010-02-21T19:30:00.007-06:00

I recently spent a weekend in Chicago with my son. We stayed at the Spring Hill Suites hotel on Dearborn. I had previously stayed at the hotel while traveling on business. I love this hotel since it is in a good location close to Michigan Avenue and it is priced reasonably. The rooms are nice and bright with a separate sleeping and lounging area including a desk, small fridge, and microwave. Free breakfast is included and there is a store in the lobby that sells beverages, snacks, and even frozen microwaveable foods.

Check out the marriott.com website for room rates and availability.

Weekend Sisters Recommends Pretti New Consignment in Plano and Frisco, TX

2010-02-21T19:21:00.004-06:00

I just love Pretti New Consignment store in Plano, TX. The shop is located on McDermott and Independence in a small shopping center. I routinely clean out my closet and take my items to consign with Pretti New. The staff is very friendly and they have a regular clientele shopping for fashion at a bargain.

Pretti New carries a great selection of shirts, tops, jeans, pants, jackets, shoes, belts, jewelry and even home accessories. Not only is it a good store to consign your items, it is also a great store to shop! You will find items from Chicos's, Talbots, Coldwater Creek, Ann Taylor, Liz Claiborne, etc.

Yesterday I visited their store located on Main St. in Frisco for the first time. It is smaller than the Plano store but it still has a nice selection of quality items.

Check out their website at prettinew.com!

Best Pizza in McKinney, TX at Amato's Restaurant

2009-11-28T22:13:00.003-06:00

Amato's Restaurant located on Virginia Parkway in McKinney, TX has the best sicilian pizza in McKinney and North Texas. Scott Amato is from New York and this is true NY style sicilian pizza. We usually order a large and take home the leftovers. The best way to reheat the leftover pizza and keep the crust crispy is to use a pizza stone in the oven.

Amato's also serves delicious Italian meals and sandwiches. Great food and great service!

New York City - Here we come!

2009-11-28T22:00:00.003-06:00

I am so excited to be headed to New York City with my 2 sisters, niece and nephew next weekend. I love the city especially during the holiday season. I love all of the decorations and holiday spirit in the air. We will only be staying in the city for one night on this trip. However, we can cover alot ground in 36 hours.

We are staying at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square. We like staying at this hotel which is located in the middle of the theater district and close to the subway, Bryant Park and within walking distance to Rockefeller Center. This is my nephew's first visit to the City and we plan on taking the double decker bus tour which is also a great way to get around the city.

Other places we plan to visit are the ice skating rink at Rockefeller Center, Macy's Herald Square, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Central Park, and many stores and street vendors for some shopping. We also will spend some time in Little Italy and Chinatown.

I am looking forward to seeing my sisters and having a great time in New York.

Be Green with Holiday Gift Wrap

2009-11-28T21:28:00.003-06:00

In my attempt to live a life that is more green, I am no longer buying gift wrap. Don't get me wrong, I love beautiful gift wrap. However, wrapping paper is another area where you cannot only save money for the holidays but also where you could live more green.

Most of us have newspapers, ads, magazines, and tissue paper that could be reused creatively to wrap gifts. Use your imagination. You could go for a black and white theme using newspaper offset by beautiful red curling ribbon. Or you could go for more colorful wrapping paper using advertisement inserts from the Sunday paper. You could also use plain white paper and create your own patterned gift wrap.

Rather than buy new gift cards, consider using your old holiday cards to add a special touch to your packages.

Save money, live green and show your creativity!

Save on Holiday Gift Giving

2009-11-28T21:23:00.005-06:00

This past year I have been working hard at simplifying my life. And now I am working to simplify holiday shopping. Rather than buy new gifts, I am going through my house and rounding up things that are in good condition but no longer needed by me or my family. I have a collection of jewelry, candles, books, sweaters, and home accessories that I will be regifting this year to. It supports my objective to live more green, while also saving money.

I would love to hear about your regifting experiences and other ways that your are simplifying the holidays.

Holiday Cards for Troops-Holiday Mail for Heroes

2009-11-28T21:13:00.005-06:00

Are you and your family looking for a way to give back this holiday season? You should consider sending holiday cards to the troops. Created by the Red Cross, Holiday Mail for Heroes allows people to mail Christmas cards and personal greetings to soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines overseas and at home to veterans and family members of deployed active duty military members.

More info is available at: redcross.org/holiday mail

I gathered up all my extra holiday cards and started writing messages while watching TV. I also plan to take in extra cards to work on Monday so that I can gather up additional holiday messages for our troops.

This is an easy, inexpensive way for your family to give back for the holidays!

Walt Disney World Souvenirs are Cheaper at Wal-Mart

2009-08-02T22:13:00.003-05:00

On a recent trip to Walt Disney World, we rented a car so that we could eat offsite and visit other attractions in the Orlando area. One of the best cost savings opportunities we found was on a visit to a nearby Wal-Mart. We had looked at Disney souvenirs at Downtown Disney but had not yet bought anything. Good thing we didn't. Wal-Mart had a large selection of Disney frames, tshirts, beach towels, and other knick knacks for a fraction of the price offered onsite at Disney. The quality of these items was just as good or near as good as those offered on-site at Disney but were significantly cheaper. So it does pay to venture outside of Walt Disney World if you have a car and are interested in saving a few dollars!

Disney's All Star Resort is a winner for Families!

2009-08-02T21:59:00.006-05:00

We picked the Disney All Star Resort for our stay at Walt Disney World. It is one of the economy or value resorts and it was really worth it. The hotel rooms were large enough with 2 double beds, a small table, drawers and TV and small but manageable bathroom. We also rented a small refrigerator for drinks and snacks.

Our room was near to the main pool area which was very nice and clean. There were more than enough chaise lounges and restroom facilities nearby. Lifeguards kept a watchful eye over the pool to ensure safety first.

The snack bar restaurant area was much better than expected with a large menu at reasonable prices. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, drinks and ice cream are offered most of the day. I recommend that people eat breakfast at the hotel before heading to the park.

The Disney transportation buses offer a ride to and from all of the parks, Downtown Disney, etc. They do not go to every hotel though. So if you are planning a visit to another hotel you will need to transfer buses at Downtown Disney. So plan enough time if you a booked a reservation for a character breakfast at another hotel. The concierge can provide assistance on gettting to another location via the transportation system.

Although the higher priced Disneyworld hotels are beautiful and offer upgraded amenities, if you are on a budget the All Star Resort is a great choice!

Headed to Disneyworld for Family Trip This Week

2009-04-26T21:40:00.007-05:00

My niece, Nicole, is a Flag Girl in the Bethlehem Catholic High School Band and they are appearing at Walt Disney World this week. This provided us with a great opportunity for an extended family trip to land of Mickey Mouse!

My youngest sister, Donna who is Nicole's mom, is traveling with the High School Band as a chaperone. I wish her luck having to account for all of those teenagers! Thank God they are flying to Florida and not going by bus.

My sister, Diane, my nephew James (Nicole's brother), our parents and I are meeting up in Florida on Tuesday. This is two days ahead of the band but we wanted to take advantage of lower air fares and have some time to hang by the pool before the high school kids arrive. We are staying the Disney All Sports Resort. It is one of the lower end resorts at Disney and I had stayed there on a previous visit. It just so happens that this is the same hotel that the band is staying at. Since we will be spending money on multi day tickets, we tried to save some money on the hotel since we wouln't be in the room that often.

I can't believe the price of admission tickets in to the Disney parks. They seem to go up every year despite there being economy issues. The more days you purchase tickets for the lower cost per day. However, a one day pass is roughly $75. Now I know why families save for years for a trip like this! I can remember when a one day pass cost $35. I guess I am showing my age.

My nephew James is 10 and has never been to Disney. He is really looking forward to this trip and also being away from school for a couple of days. My sister and I have to keep our energy up for him while also looking out for our parents. Multi-generation trips are fun but also present unique challenges in everyone staying together. This is another reason we are staying onsite so that my parents could head back to the hotel if they need a break. It may be me needing the break though!

I will providing updates on our trip during the week.

I bought my first Garmin GPS unit today!

2009-04-26T21:28:00.004-05:00

I don't know about you but I hate getting lost. Mapquest is great in providing directions but you need to plan ahead to ensure you have all the directions you will need. However, I got hooked on the Garmin GPS system while traveling on business and renting cars along with a GPS unit.

The Garmin was so easy to use in providing directions in cities that I did not know very well. I consider it to also being a security blanket that will hopefully keep me out of "bad" areas. In addition, it is preloaded with hotels, restaurants, and entertainment spots so in many cases you don't even need to have the exact address in order to get directions. If you make a mistake and don't follow the directions, you will receive a "recalculating" message. This could be annoying but in the end the Garmin will get you headed back in the right direction.

Next week I am traveling to Orlando for a family trip and I had planned on renting a Garmin with my Avis rental car. The rental cost was $12 a day and would total around $70 for the time I needed it.

Rather than rent a unit every time I rent a car, I decided that the $179 sale at Best Buy today was a good one and one for which I would get return and safety many times in the future. I can also use it when I am home and trying to locate an address I am not familiar with.

My challenge now is to figure out how to change the female voice to a male voice on my Garmin!

Zin Zen Wine Bar, McKinney, TX

2009-04-26T21:19:00.005-05:00

Last night my husband and I headed over to the Zin Zen Wine Bar located in Adriatica Village on Virginia Parkway in McKinney, TX. We had been there a few times before and we wanted a low key evening. Zin Zen offers a pretty broad wine selection and also a good menu for a light dinner and or snacks.

Zin Zen also had a singer last night named "Buzz" who played some great ballads from the 70's and 80's while playing guitar. On a previous visit, we had the pleasure of hearing a jazz singer who was also very good.

Zin Zen offers comfortable indoor seating consisting of couches, chairs and tables. There is also a very nice patio outside with tables. There are also several stools available at the bar.

This is a great place to share a special romantic date or to hang out with friends. The mix of great wine, good food, and entertainment offer a wonderful evening.

Amato's Restaurant in McKinney, TX has reopened!

2009-04-26T21:09:00.004-05:00

Amato's Restaurant located in McKinney, TX has reopened after being closed for several months. Amato's is our favorite local Italian restaurant. Scott Amato is the owner and chef. He cooks up delicious food that is served by a very attentive staff. The menu includes everything from Pizza, Salads, appetizers to pasta offerings, chicken and meat entrees and wonderful seafood entrees.

The restuarant is a great place to take families for a night out or for sharing lunch with friends or for having a special dinner with your special someone. They also can handle private parties.

Amato's still doesn't have their liquor license reinstated so you can Break Your Own Bottle of wine and save a few dollars as well.

Amato's is located on Virginia Parkway and Stonebridge Parkway in the Albertson's shopping center. I highly recommend that you head over to Amato's for a wonderful experience and delicious food!

Mezzaluna Pizza and Restaurant, Palm Coast, Florida

2009-04-01T21:56:00.004-05:00

My favorite place to eat in Palm Coast, FL is a little Italian restaurant called Mezzaluna. It is located in the European Village near the Intercoastal Waterway. It is owned by family headed by Mike who moved to Florida from NY. He is a great guy and he has built an awesome business.
http://www.palmcoast.biz/portal/show_entry.asp?TYP=1&EntryID=2598

The menu includes pizza, pasta, calzones, salads, meat, poultry and fish dishes. The garlic knots are to die for. The portions are fairly large usually good for splitting with someone or taking home for leftovers. I have never had a bad meal at this restaurant. It is so delicious and very affordable. The atmosphere is family oriented and there is great people watching. You can sit inside our outside on the patio.

I highly recommend that you check out Mezzaluna when you are in or driving through Palm Coast. It is definitely worth it. You will not be disappointed!

Daytona Beach Dog Races

2009-04-01T21:46:00.005-05:00

During our Spring Break trip, my sister and I went to the dog races at the Daytona Beach Kennel club. The races are now held at a very new location that also has poker available. You can also bet on all sorts of dog and horse races across the country. I was amazed and a little overwhelmed.

Dog races are a family affair unlike horse races. Families come to the races, especially those that are tourists. At first it looks like a fun actitivity. However, I have so many concerns about the greyhound dogs used for this "sport". I feel so sorry for them which is why I only go to these events once every 5 years or so.

There were also many people at the dog races who looked like they did not have the money to gamble. It looks like they come hoping to score a big win. We saw many of them leave very disappointed. Makes me wonder if that money was meant to pay the rent and now it is gone. I could see how people could get pulled in by the "rush". But these are the same people who can't manage their money, maybe depressed, etc.

People bet on a dog races using so many different methods. Some people go by the name of the dog, their number, or even those who get into all of the stats. I am somewhere in the middle. I try to look at the stats but to tell you the truth I really don't understand all of it. It becomes analysis paralysis. So then I look at the dog and it's name to see if I get a feel for the dog that will be the winner.

Well, needless to say, I was not lucky. I obviously did not have the right process to place bets. Hey but for $20 I had fun. My sister was much more lucky than I. It was a fun way to spend an evening.

Spring Break at Hammock Beach, Palm Coast Florida

2009-04-01T21:35:00.007-05:00

I had the best time this Spring Break with my sister, Diane. We stayed at a condo at Hammock Beach which is an awesome resort located on Florida's east coast between St. Augustine and Daytona Beach. Check out their website at http://www.hammockbeach.com/.

We spent time reading and walking on the beach, reading and drinking by the pool, sightseeing, etc. It was the first time that two of us spent a whole week together without our husbands. It was also different since our other sister, Donna, was unable to come due to her work schedule.

One of our excursions was to the Daytona Beach Flea Market which is open every weekend. The flea market is spread over several large buidlings. There is everything from fresh vegetables, fruits, herbs, vitamins, to discount tourist tshirts, jewelry, luggage, belts, etc. The only thing I bought were reading glasses which were a bargain at 2 pairs for $8!

Another excursion we took was to St. Augustine which is a beautiful historic city. I love looking in all of the little shops. There are also many photo opportunities in this town. I had the best hand scooped ice cream at Kirwin's. It hit the spot on a warm day.

The weather was great during our week at the beach. We couldn't have asked for a better week!

Tribute to my Grandmother Anna Kospiah

2008-09-03T15:43:00.005-05:00

Last month, my grandmother, Anna Kospiah, passed away at the young age of 93. She was my dad's mother and my oldest living relative. She was an independent, quiet woman who raised 5 children.

My grandmother grew up on a farm. She met my grandfather and got married very young. She worked in the steel mill during the depression. She even drove a forklift, something we did not know until talking with her during the last weeks of her life. She loved flowers and watching the birds in the garden.

My grandmother loved her independence. She lived on her own in a senior citizen high rise until she was almost 92. Then she moved in with my Aunt where she lived for the last year of her life. She took the city bus to the supermarket and shopping centers. She liked to walk even though arthritis was making this more difficult.

One of my grandmother's favorite past times was going to the casinos in Atlantic City or Las Vegas. She loved to travel with my mom and they went on so many trips together with senior citizen groups or just the two of them. They got along well and were good travel partners. My grandmother was not happy with the digitizing of the casino slot machines. She yearned for the return of the day when she could put quarters into the machine and pull the handle. She looked forward to these trips and they gave her great joy.

My grandmother was a frequent guest at our many family events. The grandchildren and great-grandchildren welcomed her with open arms. She could often be found in the kitchen washing dishes and cleaning up.

While preparing for her funeral, my sisters, mom, dad and I looked through hundreds of pictures to find the special ones for the funeral home. Looking through these pictures and reminiscing about the times we spent together brought laughter and tears. It was very therapeutic for all of us to celebrate her life and grieve together.

After her funeral, we all went to a casino in the Poconos to celebrate her life and one of the activities that she loved most. It was raining on our drive to the casino. However, once we got there, a big rainbow was in the sky and it ended at the casino. I think this was her way of telling us she was okay and still with us. It brought tears to our eyes. We put our money in the slot machines and placed our bets in honor of her.

I am thankful that I was able to have my grandmother in my life for as long as I did. I hope that I have her genes for a long life. She was a special lady and will always be close to my heart.

Twenty Wishes

2008-09-03T15:23:00.004-05:00

I just finished reading the book "Twenty Wishes" by Debbie Macomber. It is part of her Blossom Street Series. The book was such an easy read and so hard to put down. She introduced new characters in this book which focuses on AnneMarie who owns a bookstore. She takes us through the lives of several women who are widows. At one of the women's frequent get togethers they discuss compiling a list of twenty wishes representing things they want to do or accomplish. The author does such a good job of taking the reader through the twists and turns in these women's lives. I felt like I knew each of the characters personally.

The list of twenty wishes is very intriguing to me and I think there is so much energy in actually putting these thoughts in writing and then working towards achieving them. Most of us daydream and think about things that we shoulda, coulda, or woulda done. Writing these things down and reviewing them on a regular basis brings focus to accomplishing them.

I have started my list and I am not yet quite at 20. Here is what I have so far:

1. Visit Italy, Greece and Paris with my husband and son
2. Get remarried to my handsome husband, Vito, on the beach
3. Retire at 55
4. Learn how to paint
5. Take my parents on an Alaskan Cruise
6. Make Weekend Sisters a successful business with my sisters
7. Take a pilates class
8. Take dancing lessons with my husband
9. Lose weight and get in shape
10. See my son graduate from cosmetology school and work in his profession
11. Live near the beach for part of the year
12. Take a cruise with my sisters
13. Start a non-profit organization
14. Go white water rafting
15. Visit Sante Fe

Well, that's as far as I got. I need to do some more soul searching and add to the list. I would be interested in knowing if you have put together your list of 20 wishes or if you have read the book by Debbie Macomber. Drop me an email. I would love to hear from you.

I am 50 today!

2008-09-03T14:52:00.006-05:00

Woo hoo! Today is my 50th birthday. Can't believe I have reached the BIG 5-0 Milestone. I can't say that I feel 50, at least not today. But then again what is 50 suppose to feel like?

I took the day off from work after going back and forth on whether I should or not. I don't ever recall taking a vacation day for my birthday. So today was a first in putting me first and taking the day off.

I intend to focus on me today. I slept in a little later this morning. I opened the bedroom door and was surprised to see that my husband and son decorated our family room and kitchen with streamers and decorations. This was such a surprise and so sweet of them. They both left me some real cute cards as well.

I had some yogurt for breakfast and then headed out for a walk with my dog, Bella. It was very mindy and rainy misty when we left. Bella looked up at me as if to say, "Hey, I didn't sign up for a walk in the rain!" HaHa. But on we went for about 30 minutes. I turned up the volume on my ipod and put one foot in front of the other. It was invigorating walking in the light rain in the middle of the morning. I usually envy the women who could walk and exercise during the day while I am at work. Today I was able to walk in their shoes.

I headed out and did some shopping for me at the fairly new Water's Creek Shopping area in Allen, TX. I love this new shopping area which is not your typical shopping center. It is like a little village complete with waterfalls, rock landscapes and pond. My first stop was at the Black and White Market store where I bought the really cute black and white animal print sweater that they are featuring in their ads. I can't wait to wear it. Next I headed over to Chico's and bought several tops and shirts. Shopping time was cut short so I could get to my 1:00 massage appt.

I got to Massage Wow, Allen, TX with time to spare for my 90 minute massage. Massage Wow is also fairly new and owned by Chiro Spa which is located next door. Massage Wow is running a special which includes a 90 minute massage and a footbath for just $39.95. This is such a bargain! Adrienne was my massage therapist and she was awesome. She applied just the right pressure and worked out my stress. I actually fell asleep on the table. I couldn't believe it but it was so relaxing and the ultimate treat to myself on my birthday.

So here I am now in Starbucks typing this blog. I am sitting in a big comfy chair with my venti unsweetened black iced tea. There is upbeat but soothing music playing in the background. I am feeling the creative juices flowing. I have not been blogging as often as I intended to. Life just gets in the way. Work, family, and other obligations always seem to take precedence over creative time. I want to change this going forward and spend more time on creative pursuits as well as getting back in shape.

Birthday wishes are kind of like New Year's resolutions. We start out with great intentions and sometimes face challenges in keeping these resolutions. I have yet to compile my list of wishes for my next 50 years but they will be focused on love, family, health, travel, and giving back.

Tonight we are going to our favorite Italian restaurant, Bugatti's, located in Dallas, TX. My husband and I got engaged there, had our rehearsal dinner there, celebrated my husband's 50th there with firends and family earlier this year in January and celebrate most of our special times there. I look forward to some great food, some fine wine and good time with my husband and son. Spending time together means more than any gift I could receive.

I have much to be thankful for on my 50th birthday. I have people who love me and who I love. I am fairly healthy. I have 2 dogs who bring me joy. I have a career I love at Fortune company. I have been blessed and Thank God everyday for the life that I live.

Shopping for Vacation Condo Rental Discounts

2008-07-13T16:36:00.006-05:00

I don't know where the time goes. Last week, we were in Destin, Florida and had a very good time. While there, I spent some time journaling and fully intended to post to this blog while I was there. However, I spent time living in the moment in the beach with my family. It was what we need to build some energy and chill out. Once we returned home, it was back to work and the usual every day activities. I didn't get back to blogging until today.

We had such a great time that we decided to go back to Destin next week with my husband's sister, Maria, her husband, Carl and their daughter/my niece, Jessica. My son, Anthony, starts Cosmetology School at the Toni and Guy Academy on August 5th and he also has orientation on July 28th. Jess starts college on Aug. 20th. So we had a short window of dates for all of us to go away together.

We didn't have the benefit of price shopping when we went to Destin over the 4th of July weekend. We left last minute and were desperate so we paid a high price for our one bedroom condo at Destin.

For our next trip which is only a week away, I was planning to shop for a better rate. We planned on renting a beach front condo with at least a two bedroom and maybe a three bedroom condo. I found that most two bedroom condos have twin beds in the 2nd bedroom. This was a problem and presented even a bigger challenge on getting a rental that did not cost us $500 a night.

I called the Sandestin resort directly and was quoted a rate of $600 for a 2BR beach front condo. I knew I could do better than this. So I went to the website, Vacation Rentals By Owner or VRBO.com. We rented vacation condos in Colorado through VRBO and had positive experiences. There were many listing on VRBO for Destin.

I focused on finding a condo in the Westwinds building at Sandestin and was so lucky to find one after 10 or more phone calls. The condo owner outsourced the property management to Gibson Beach Rentals. (Gibsonbeachrentals.com) I spoke with Joanna Gibson, who owns the agency with her husband. She was very courteous and helpful. I highly recommend calling them if you want to rent a condo in the Destin area.

The condo we rented for next week is located beach front on the 7th floor and has two bedrooms each with a King bed! We also have a queen sleeper sofa and 2 1/2 baths. We will also be taking an inflatable mattress for my son to sleep on. The best news is that I got the condo for $400 a night or a 30% savings over renting directly from Sandestin reservations. This nightly rate is also less than what we paid for our one bedroom rental last weekend. It pays to do a little legwork to save some money.

Please note though that are less expensive condo rentals in Destin. The prices are less if you are not right on the beach. Also, older condos in older buildings have lower rental rates. I really think there are rentals at many different price points.

During my research, I also talked to some very nice people at myvacationhaven.com who were helpful but unfortuantely did not have condos available that met our requirements. I just wanted to also put in a plug for them since they represent some very nice Destin area condos on VRBO.com

I can't wait to head back to Destin next week. This week we are staying for a longer time with 4 days on the beach. Heaven on the beach.

Destin - 2nd Day at the Beach

2008-07-13T15:46:00.004-05:00

We awoke on Sunday morning and I quickly pulled back the curtains and headed out to the patio. It was overcast and cloudy with some rain in the forecast. However, I was not discouraged. It was another day in beach paradise!

My son and I headed over to Starbucks for breakfast and to buy the New York Times Sunday edition I love Starbucks even though I don't drink coffee. I mentioned this in a previous blog post. I love knowing that I will have a consistent experience at whichever Starbucks I go to. I ordered my favorite Venti unsweetened black iced tea with an energy shot. I also had a very delicious cranberry muffin. Some people go on vacation to eat gourmet meals and sample every local restaurant. As for me, I like good food but I am also satisfied by the simple things. A Starbucks iced tea, cranberry muffin and NY Times is perfect for my Sunday breakfast at the beach. Who could want more than this?

After breakfast, we headed back to the condo for a quick change into a swimsuit and I was off to the beach. I took my new beach chair to the edge of the water and plopped myself down. I had my book and the water was rolling in around my chair keeping me cool. This is living! It doesn’t get any better spending Sunday in my little beach chair at the water’s edge. I was in heaven!

My husband had some work to do so he did not come down to tbe beach until later. We then hung out together for awhile at the beach before heading over to the "Another Broken Egg Cafe" at the Baytowne Wharf. This awesome restaurant is only open for breakfast and lunch and its menu has a long list of breakfast items, sandwiches and salads. It was very quaint and the staff was very cheery. I had the chicken quesadilla which was very good. My husband had the Greek Salad with the Greek dressing which was also very good. I highly recommend this restaurant.

During lunch, the dark clouds and thunder were moving in but I was not to be discouraged. I headed back to the beach which was not as full as it was earlier. I continued to read my book until I finished it at about 5PM. With some rain drizzle in the air, I headed back up to the condo.

This was the best getaway I have had in some time. The spontaneity of deciding at last minute to head to Destin made it more of an exciting adventure. My son actually enjoyed himself and only got in trouble once for skateboarding in the covered garage. Oh well, we can’t get through a weekend without something happening.

I am looking forward to another weekend getaway in the near future.

Destin, Florida - Beach Lover's Paradise

2008-07-13T14:57:00.009-05:00

The drive on Saturday morning went pretty well until we hit Hwy 98 in Destin. We crawled the last 10 miles to the resort. It took over an hour to go a few miles. Much to my husband's dismay this brought down our average mpg for the trip. Finally, we arrived at the Sandestin Resort - woo hoo!

We were greeted warmly by the staff at Sandestin and surprise – our room was ready early. Normally the check in time is 4PM and there we were at 1PM and our room was ready. Someone above was watching over us. (http://sandestin.com/)

Our one bedroom rental condo was on the 14th floor of the WestWinds tower with a direct view of the beautiful emerald green and blue Gulf of Mexico! I was in awe of the view. I think that my blood pressure immediately dropped 10 points. Even my 18 year old son was impressed with the view, the condo, and facilities.

No time to unpack, just a quick change into a swimsuit and I was headed to the beach! I walked to the water’s edge and again my blood pressure dropped another 10 points! We rented 2 chairs and umbrella at a surprisingly high cost of $39 a day. But hey the rental comes with two free souvenir Sandestin Beach towels. As if we don’t already have enough beach towels! What the heck, we are on vacation so we will splurge on the very nice Sandestin chairs. The chair guy was from Mississippi and was named Destroy. Hmm. Guess there is a story behind that name but not sure I wanted to hear it so I didn't ask.

My husband, Vito, was so good. He carried my beach bag that held my reading material, iPod, camera and flip video camera, water bottles and snacks to the beach. We took a nice walk on the beach scoping out other vacationers and properties along the beach. We love the beach and walking on the beach is one of our favorite things to do besides sitting in a chair with a drink reading our books!

About two years ago, my husband developed some sort of strange sensitivity to the sun. He has to ensure he puts on lots of sunscreen and wears a hat. This is something we all should do anyway but take for granted. So he doesn’t enjoy going to the beach as much as he used to but he says he will do anything to make me happy. He is such a sweetheart.

I stayed on the beach longer than my husband and took in the smell of the beach and the Gulf, listened to the music playing at the pool, and started a new book called Life’s A Beach by Claire Cook. How could I go wrong with a book with that title? Turns out this was a great book that was an easy and interesting read.

On Saturday night we drove over to Sandestin Baytowne Wharf to check out the restaurants and shops. I already narrowed our restaurant search to Graffiti & Funky Blues Shack and Roberto's Pizza. Graffiti’s is an eclectic restaurant with Italian food and entertainment. It appeared to be a really cool place until I checked out the menu and saw that spaghetti was priced at $24. I have an Italian husband and an 18-year old son who both like to eat a lot so I was a little concerned about the prices. Not that we couldn’t afford it. I just have a hard time paying over 5 times what it would cost me to feed us the same meal at home. So we headed over to Roberto's.

There was no wait at Roberto's and we were quickly seated at an outside table. We weathered the heat and humidity and did some great people watching waiting for our delicious pizzas to arrive. The pizza was very good. The wait staff was friendly but not overly attentive. They appeared to be college students and spent more time socializng with each other more than attending to their guests.

After dinner we checked out the stores which had great and even unique merchandise. However, none of the items jumped up and shouted "Buy Me." I was just so happy to be at the beach and I didn't need to buy anything

My son took the free Sandestin shuttle back to the condo. My husband and I stopped at a grocery store fpr some breakfast food, snacks and beverages. I also went to CVS and bought a little beach chair that I could sit in at the edge of the water on Sunday. Then it was back to the condo for some R&R.

July 4th Weekend At Destin, Florida

2008-07-13T14:45:00.006-05:00

The morning of July 4th, my husband, son and I decided to get away and head to Destin, Florida. This decision was made without any reservations for a holiday weekend. We packed within an hour and dropped our two dogs off at my mother in law' s house and we were off to the beach. This was the first time we have ever done something so spontaneous.

You have to know that both my husband and I are typical Type A personalities who like to plan before leaping. We are not impulsive in the least. However, a break at the beach was just what we all needed so off we went.

Packing for this beach trip was easy. We didn't need much more than shorts, tees and bathing suits. That was the easy part. The tough part was all the technical gadgets we took with us including laptops, sprint connect any where cards cell phone and blue tooth chargers, power cords, etc. I think the electronics took up more room than our clothes!

Now granted we didn’t leave until 1PM in the afternoon on Friday, I was looking forward to the 2 full days at the beach. About half way into Louisiana, I started to call resorts in Destin trying to find a place to stay. Good news was that I found a beach front condo at Sandestin for Saturday and Sunday nights but no availability for Friday night. No sweat. We ccould just stay at a less expensive hotel in Destin area since we will be getting in prettylate at night any way.

Back on the road after dinner, I started to call various hotel chains for a one night stay in the Destin Pensacola area. I guess I waited too long and all of the rooms closer in were already booked. We chose to stay at a fairly new Comfort Suites in Tillman’s Corner, Alabama. Nice room, free breakfast, and 2 hours from our destination. No sweat. We got a good night’s rest and headed out to Destin in the morning.

Fond Memories of Wildwood Crest, NJ

2008-06-29T18:06:00.008-05:00

I love the beach and so do my sisters! It is so relaxing for me to walk on the beach or just sit in a chair on the beach while reading my favorite book. The sound and smell of the ocean have the most relaxing impact on me.

My sister, Diane, is at beach this weekend, with her husband, son and her son's girlfriend. My nephew, Stephen, celebrated his 21st birthday this week so the trip was a special celebration. They live in Pennslvania and keep a camper trailer at a campground near Wildwood, NJ. I am so envious that within a few hours from home they can be at the beach smelling the salt air and hanging out. Wish I could have been there this week.

The beach has always been a special place for our family. When we were young, we would rent a house at the Jersey Shore for just a week. But it was the best week of the year. We looked forward to it all year long. It was a time to leave the day to day behind and live carefree. Within a few years, we started staying at hotels with efficiency units and swimming pools. We have so many fond memories of those weeks at the shore in Wildwood Crest, NJ.

My parents and my sister, Donna and her children still go to the Pan American Motor Inn in Wildwood Crest for one special week every July. My family has been staying at this same hotel for over 30 years! Can you believe it? The Morey family owns the Pan Am and are gracious hosts. They also own various Piers with rides, foods, and games in Wildwood Crest.

Things have changed over the years. It is no longer safe to allow your pre-teens to cruise the boardwalk at night without an adult. The boardwalk is a little worn out but still has a special aura or shops selling trinkets, restaurants, and carnival games. The cost of renting a bike for 2 hours has increased from $2.00 to $6.00 or more.
One of my favorite activities in Wildwood was renting a bike in the morning and riding on the boardwalk with my sisters and cousins. We would ride all the way to the end of the boardwalk in North Wildwood. Then we would stop for a donut and a drink before heading back towards the hotel. I have even had the opportunity to do this with my husband and son. No matter how old I have become, I still look forward to renting a bike to ride on the boardwalk the next time I visit Wildwood.
I recommend the Jersey Shore for having a great vacation with your family and friends.

Hanging Out at Starbucks

2008-06-29T16:43:00.005-05:00

My sisters and I live over 1,000 miles apart. However, when we get together one of our favorite things is going to Starbucks, getting our favorite beverage, and catching up with each other.

Every time I go to Starbucks, I think of my sisters. We will frequently call each other to let the other know that we are in Starbucks. I love the smell of coffee, even though my stomach doesn't. So I am one of those unusual people that go to Starbucks for a "venti umsweetened black iced tea", for the smell of coffee, and for the comfort I feel when I am there. I love to just hang out and read a book or the newspaper. My husband and I also frequent Starbucks on the weekend. It is not too noisy and we can carry on a conversation.

My sisters and I have traveled to New York, San Francisco, Florida, Pennsylvania, Vegas, and Texas and we always look for our favorite gathering spot. We have many good memories made at Starbucks. In New York City, it is a favorite breakfast spot for us as well as place to stop in and warm up on a winter day. It is also the only place I know that consistently may have the Sunday edition of the New York times.

I envy the people who work from Starbucks using their wireless PC's and cell phones. Someday, that will be me. I hope to be writing this blog from a Starbucks location in the near future.

Renewing My Commitment to Blogging

2008-06-29T16:17:00.007-05:00

I can't believe that I set up this blog so many months ago and then did not post any updates. I'm wondering if I am like others who start a blog or am I unusual in this delay?

Part of the reason for the delay was some family issues that I was dealing with during the last couple of months. I have been mentally drained and did not think I wanted to use this blog as an outlet for resolving those issues.

The second reason for the delay was just pure fear. What if people don't like what I post? What if my posts are dull and boring? So during this time, I have also spent time researching other blogs. There is so much good writing out there.

So I am reenergized in exploring the world of blogging. I hope you like my postings. I look forward to hearing from you.

Super Bowl Sunday and Sisters

2008-02-03T19:47:00.001-06:00

Today is Super Bowl Sunday with the New England Patriots squaring off against the New York Giants. This is another great opportunity for sisters to get together. I am not much of a football fan but the hoopla around the Super Bowl is the perfect time to host a get together with your sisters, their families and friends. This of course assumes that you live near each other. If not, you could host a party with your sister like friends. Even thought I am not much of a football fan, I do like seeing all of the new commercials. Participating in Monday morning conversations at work is easier if you at least watched the commercials and could provide your thoughts on them.

If you really don't want to do a Super Bowl Party, you could use this time to give the guys time on their own to watch the game and cheer on their teams. The girls on the other hand, could use this time for some sister bonding over dinner, go to a movie, play cards or board games, or just hang out at Starbucks. With the guys focused on the game and hopefully watching the kids, you have some time for a good chick flick. Today is a good day to see a movie like 27 Dresses.

Since I am feeling a little under the weather today, I am not doing much but taking it easy. My sisters live over a 1000 miles away and have their own Super Bowl plans. So updating our website and blogging today keeps me close to them in thought.

Don't look at Super Bowl Sunday as another Sunday game day, but rather a day for sisters to get together to catch up, laugh and enjoy the day!

Welcome to our Weekend Sisters Blog!

2008-02-03T19:15:00.001-06:00

Hi and welcome to our new blog, Weekend Sisters! We are 3 sisters who are in the prime of our lives and who enjoy spending time together. We really believe in the importance of family first and ensuring that we maintain a good relationship.

I am Debbie the oldest of 3 sisters. I live in Texas over 1000 miles from my two sisters, Diane and Donna. We are in our mid-life phase, all married with kids ranging from 9 to 20. Because the 3 of us do not live each other, we treasure the time we spend together in special weekend adventures. However, there are also simple get togethers and activities that we do that could be done if everyone lived in the same place - manicures, pedicures, Starbucks outings, garage sale hunting, bookstore browsing, shopping, etc.

Our goal with our blog is to share our stories and hopefully influence other sisters out there to spend quality time together. We also want to hear from all sisters out there about your lives and experiences and then pass them onto others. We would eventually like to host get togethers at interesting locations for sisters to bond, improve their relationships, and make memories.

We are hoping to also make some money from our advertisers to support this site and fund some of our future outings that you could be a part of. We have a website, weekendsisters.com that has additional content and interesting information. We will also eventually have interesting and fun sister items for purchase.

First things first though. We are so glad you stopped by and hope you will come back for return visit.

Have a great day!