Happy New Year's Eve!!!

Actually- if every winter day this year is like today- I think I would ENJOY winter in Wisconsin!  Those of you that know me- realize that I am really a hermit at heart- I could stay in my troll hole (what I call my office) for days without any human contact!  However- in the past I have gotten up- and went downstairs to work - still in my JAMMIES!!  Well- that is going to be one of my resolutions for the New Year- actually get dressed to work!!  AND- some of you have actually been on tours with me where I wore my jammies (I am NOT promising that I still will not be doing that at some point next year)  I have been finishing the year working on lots of new tours (hmmm....it seems like I am ALWAYS doing that!)  To all of you spending New Year's Eve with family and friends- have fun, be careful!  Check in tomorrow for my resolutions for the coming year!

Is the Year Over yet??

Well- the countdown is on!!  Only a few more days and we can put 2010 to bed!!  In reflection I think it was a WONDERFUL year!!  Then again- any time I make it to the end of the year- I think it is a pretty good one!  I crossed a major item off my bucket list.  I went to the Passion Play in Oberammergau.  What a wonderful and uplifting experience.  I really am glad I went- it was truly a once-in-a-lifetime event.  For those of you not familiar with the history- this was the 42nd time it was performed.  When the plague was ravishing Europe (in the 1600's!!) a tiny village in Germany (Oberammergau) prayed to God to spare their village.  They promised to pay homage to him every decade if he did.  Well- you guessed it- the village was spared and every 10 years there is a performance of the Passion Play by the village.  And I DO mean the village- just about all the inhabitants participate in some way.  The play is about 8 hours long- and is in German (they do provide a translation however)- but seriously the time just flew by!!  My friend Jerry and I went to a Passion Play at North Heights Church in Minnesota last year that was wonderfully done-(about 3 hours long)- they had huge production numbers- with singing and angels flying through the air- quite impressive.  Well- he fell asleep (don't ask me how!!).  When I said I wanted to go to Germany to see the Passion Play- he very calmly said "Tell me again- what is the German Jesus going to do that is going to take 5 hours longer??"  I had to laugh.  But then he calls it "Ober- yammer- yammer" which also totally cracks me up (as does just about everything he does!)  Then he asked how I would understand it in German- I told him- "I know how the story ends- it will be fine!"  Anyway- he toured Austria with some friends when I went to the play!!
Just one of the many things I am thankful for in 2010- not to mention family (they still claim me!), friends and all the NEW friends I made on my tours this year.  I really enjoy every tour I do- and I hope if you haven't joined me on one yet- that you will in the New Year, I think you will enjoy it!  Hmmm...the New Year- that means it is time to make resolutions doesn't it?  I will have to think about that one- I will get back to you on that!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Merry Christmas everyone!  Not doing much work this week (well- not as much as usual!), but I am working on a couple of Branson trips, a few Disney World for friends and of course lots of Maggie Mae trips.  It seems like I just get one thing done and the next one is starting.
On a personal note- Christmas Eve Brunch with my family was great- and Christmas Eve Dinner (a traditional Swedish dinner) with the Kinder family was yummy as well.
Hope all of you (or at least SOME of you) took advantage of my 12 days of Christmas promotions.  Look for LOTS of travel deals in the coming year.  Have a wonderful Christmas!!!

Happy Monday!

Good morning everyone!
I always love Mondays- they seem like my chance to get everything done- to start new.  I am hoping to get my ENTIRE to-do list done by Wednesday- because then the festivities begin.  Since my list is now a very manageable 42 items I think I can accomplish this goal (provided I don't add any more items today!)
Yesterday I took my mom to Madison to the Bishop O'Connor center to watch the Madison Diocesan Choir perform their Christmas Concert.  It was BEAUTIFUL!!!!  It was really nice to see everyone that had been on the Canada tour last year-(that is what the picture above is from) and hearing them sing again brought back some wonderful memories (especially the blessing!).  Afterwards mom and I drove through the Christmas Lights display put on by the Rotary Club in Waunakee-very nice for such a small town.
Well- if I don't get going- I will NEVER get that list done- YIPES!  I just thought of 4 more things I need to do- so the list is going in the WRONG direction!!!  Tell me again...why do I like Mondays??

MICHE BAGS



The wonderful Miche Bag!


Ok- I just have to tell you- I LOVE this bag!  It is SUCH a great idea for travelling.  When I do my motorcoach tours all the passengers like to see how many different purses I have brought with.  In reality- I have just brought one- but change the outside "shell" all the time.  The base is magnetic- and the shells easily come on and off (but they don't "fall" off.  It is like having a different wardrobe every day- it is wonderful.  And the purses come in three different sizes- so there is a perfect one for everyone.  Well, at the risk of sounding like a commercial- I SELL Miche bags now!  I figured so many people on my tours were interested in them I may as well fill the need- so to speak.  Of course- I will host a party as well if anyone wants me to- but am not going to pursue that as much.
You can also order them on line if you want to- MY MICHE BAG.  Check it out!

So- you may ask---how exactly does that relate to travel?  WELLL....it is a travel TIP!!  The shells fold flat so they pack just great.  I think I took 7 to Germany with me the last time- and they took up the space that just one purse would normally take!

Oh yeah- one last thing- I am already completely sick of winter!

2011 Badger Games

It is really hard for me to believe that the 2010 season is not even over and already I am thinking I am behind on the 2011 Badger football schedule!  I am thinking of having some tours to away games again this year.  Soldier Field in September, Michigan State and Ohio State in October and Minnesota and Illinois in November are what I am planning.  Watch for details around February 1st or sooner.  These tours are great fun- include tickets, hotel, sightseeing, bloody mary bar, free beer and booze, tailgate part- just about all you need to have a great time!
I also put together a great tour to see Daniel O'Donnell in Minnesota in May.  Tell your moms and their friends- they love this guy!
I met with Maggie Mae this morning at the Cafe- OK- I was in my jammies- but does it matter?  Anyway- we finalized the October Maggie, Memphis and Mississippi tour- that should be on the website in the next day or two (or tonight if I find the energy!)
I usually try to have a "to-do" list that I keep up to date.  I get such a sense of accomplishment when I cross something off it!  Well- today it started with 52 items on it (YIPES)- and it ended with 46!!!  (OK- I added 10 items during the day)- but at this rate- I will be skinny before I get the list done (which reminds me- I should put that on my list!!)
Anyway- lots to do, and never enough time to do it- hmmmm...story of my life!

My first attempt at blogging

Welcome to my blog!  Anyone that knows me also knows that I am not very technical.  I always joke that my tool kit consists of a tweezers and a butter knife!  I have no idea how a fax machine works- and am lost when it comes to cell phones, ipods, mp3 players, etc. When somebody tries to explain electronic things to me (and bless his soul- my friend Jerry often patiently tries to)- all I hear is a voice that sounds like every adult on the Charlie Brown cartoons.  In short- I am asking you to bear with me- as this will be a learning process for me.  My purpose in writing this is to share what I am working on and what my thoughts are about travel.  Sometimes I will have travel tips on here- or travel deals.  Hopefully it will be something different all the time.  If anybody wants to see any specific thing addressed here- please just let me know.