Poof! The Blog Disappears!

Oh for crying out loud. I just want to be like my friend Jerrie and update my blog and poof! the whole stinkin' set up disappears. Please bear with me... And my limited techy skills. I am sure one of the guys will be able to help me soon...

I {heart} Hotels

While in Seattle Hubby and I stayed at the Grand Hyatt. I am not a travel agent or travel writer, I wanted to clarify that for you. That being said, I do as 'josie tourist' have a few tips for getting the best hotel value.

First, I scout around on the internet using the usual sites, travelocity etc. I also visit the chain hotel sites. At this point I have an idea what hotels are charging and what would be a good rate. Then I begin calling the hotels, directly. I ask for the reservation manager. I don't always get one but I ask. Then I ask for their best rate, I let them know I am shopping for rates. I also mention that I have an entertainment card, a Costco card, AAA or whatever they may need. I also ask if it is less on a different day if my travel dates are flexible. Ask about parking too, although I haven't done well with downtown parking lately. They charge, a lot!

Once I have a reservation I ask them to please email the confirmation. When I receive the confirmation I reply to an individual telling them that we are looking forward to our stay at their hotel.

Closer to the stay I email again to confirm and usually ask a question regarding the rooms. After I get a response I email back my thanks.

By the time I arrive, they know me! I've been polite and excited about their property.

So, when I check in...yes! The upgrade to the Executive King Suite.
Nothing like more bathrooms in your hotel room than in your home. An entry way, I don't have one of those at home! A walk in shower and soaker tub, robes, huge TVs, remote window shades on the floor to ceiling windows, a bar and a living room, with a low rate!






Seattle Grand Hyatt is recently refurbished and super clean. I like that. The staff is helpful and the view is great, at least from the 30th floor.
When we checked in, the manager came around the counter to introduce himself and give us his card so that if there was anything we needed during our stay we had a direct line. The bathrooms had phones so really, at any time we could have called. We didn't, but we could have.
*If true, leave a good review and name names of the staff that made your visit memorable. You may want to return.

Seattle Gift Show 2009

At the Seattle Gift Show I always have a primary goal and then some other lesser goals. Primary goal is to find something new, exciting, that no other store in the whole world sells. This is a difficult goal...

So, on to lesser goals.
{My overall thinking and feeling during the show was that quite frankly, our economy is scary. I try to be little Mary Sunshine about the economy but it was difficult with what I saw in Seattle.} I don't even like to write about it. So...
I decided to work with what I saw and anticipate my customer's needs.
We are thinking about our environment so I will be ordering some reusable shopping bags and refillable water bottles. No reason they can't be stylish and functional.
I looked for gifts that the recipient could use. Inventory that is new and looked fresh were the paper items, so I will order some stationery items. Very pretty colors. Practical, but pretty and fresh for Spring.
I found some great new toy lines because shoppers still buy birthday gifts for kids. I try to have an affordable and wide variety of toys. A gift for a child to bring to a party shouldn't break the bank.
Hopefully, the museum shop will thrive in 2009.

Sorry, the light was overwhelming so the pictures are not great but you get the idea.

Late afternoon Hubby and I took a break and walked to Anthropologie. I had some fun and left my mark. Love that store! We bought monogramed file folders to use for our tax returns.

Tomorrow I'll share more Seattle.

A Surprise Party

Saturday evening Hubby and I went to a surprise birthday party. It was a lot of fun. Gretchen did a fantastic job planning the party. For Rob's cake she called on Let Them Eat Cake. http://www.letthemeatcakewa.com/Wow! It was an iphone because Rob loves his iphone. Totally personalized with Rush for the music, 35-because he is, etc. It was one of the cutest cakes I have ever seen, very personal. Oh, and it was delicious too.

I'm Going to the City

Unrelated photo of moi. On my birthday with treasures. I didn't want two posts in a row without a pic.

I am so happy and so lucky! Well, not lucky, I don't believe in luck, per se. Anyway. Tonight Hubby and I are going to a party, a catered party. Love a catered party!
And then.
Tomorrow morning we leave bright and early for two days in the city. You know how I love a hotel room. And city food. And shopping. We will be at the Seattle Gift Show and the Seattle Market finding new merchandise for the museum gift shop. When I get home I will let you know about all the new trends, colors and pretty things. My hubby is good at helping me there, he carries all the catalogs and tells me when it's time for coffee because I start to look dazed and glassy eyed. He also tells me when it is time for happy hour. See you next week!
Oh and I look different then the photo posted today. I got a new hair do-with streaks of light, no gray and bangs! Woo hoo.

Sallow: Unhealthy Looking

Who is feeling beautiful? I don't think I know anyone feeling gorgeous right now. I got to boot camp this morning and Melinda was complaining about being, "pasty". I got home, turned on my laptop and the word of the day popped up, "sallow". Nice.

I checked some blogs and the January blahs are taking over. Friends, family and fellow bloggers are kinda in the dumps.

Sallow, pasty, having the blahs... Consumer confidence is in the dumps. It is a bit depressing out there. I've turned into an emotional eater, again. Everything is in a holding pattern...waiting, waiting for what, I'm not sure. Change.

Will change be good or bad?

In spite of our nation's problems, low morale, a lot of poor self esteem going on, there is hope. My Lord God is not changed. He is the same everyday, loving me and watching over me. Ready to help me.

I think I need to make the changes, turn things around, with His help and love, I need to be more positive and proactive.

So, to do my part, I have a plan. Now I need the energy and will power to get started. Starting the year without goals and direction hasn't really been very healthy for me.

But when I am not "feelin' it", it is like trying to move a mountain. A BIG mountain!

Matthew 21:21-22 And Jesus answered them, "Truly, I say to you if you have faith and never doubt you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, 'Be taken up and cast into the sea,' it will be done. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith."

With prayer, I can move a mountain. I don't have any plans to pray that Mt. Baker is cast into Birch Bay, just that I get going!

Do you have a plan?

*Sorry, no photo, not even blogger is cooperating...