Susan Merrill

Because I have a lot of children, I can’t always take them all on trips, so I have developed a few little traditions to ensure I make some special memories with each of them.

One of these traditions is to take each of my kids to New York before their senior year of high school.  This year I was a little hesitant because of the economy — and because my daughter requested that I allow her older sister to come too.  How could I squelch the love of a sister?  I decided to squelch my angst instead with a little economic creativity!

First I finagled the flights for free (not including fees) by using frequent flyer miles, flying at odd times with layovers.  Then I played with hotel rates and saved a lot by booking every night at our hotel separately (if I booked all the nights at once, the Saturday night rate was driving the entire average for each night up).  For Broadway, I chose lower-priced seats because the theaters are all small and you can sit in the mezzanine and still see well.  I made a few eating rules.  We brought breakfast with us.  We had one light meal out and one sit down meal out each day.  For the sit down meal we ordered 2 dishes, I let them each choose what they wanted and I ate some of theirs. Instead of taking expensive cabs, we walked or took the subway wherever we wanted to go.  Shopping…  they were on their own!  They saved their own money for the trip and they spent their own money.  For sightseeing, we did the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island this year.  It cost about $12 per person for the whole day and that included the ferry from island to island and the museum on Ellis.  We also spent an hour researching my great grandparents on the Ellis Island computer system (free!).  The girls loved it. 

We had an incredible time and actually spent less this year with three of us than last time I went with only two.  Sitting in the airport on our layover yesterday, we uploaded our pictures to my laptop.  Looking at the joy and fun I shared with my two girls was priceless.  I was very thankful as I flew home that last leg that I had not sold my memories short… that I had not postponed the trip because of economic challenges, but  took the time to look for creative ways to make it happen financially.

Making a memory with your family may be difficult this year.  I knew this trip was coming and had already begun to save.  Start planning for next year and save a little every month.  Keep an eye on flight and hotel rates.  If your financial situation is extremely difficult, scale back your trip plans – go local.  Or ask friends if they know of anyone with a second home that might let you use it for free or a discounted rate.  Be open and persevere, something will pop up and the memory will be well worth the effort!

Ok, that’s wrong thinking for a mom, but it’s mid-summer and I thought i would indulge myself for just a minute… like this mom did.

Can’t view the video? Go here.

Susan Boyle is 47 years old and still dreaming – even at the risk of ridicule.  She knows what she has inside and she is not afraid to share it.  I love it!  Do you dare to dream?  Watch this and be inspired.

Then pay attention to the reactions of the crowd as they assess Susan before she sings. We’ve all heard the expression, “never judge a book by its cover.” We teach it to our children and try to put it into practice ourselves. Still, from time to time, we forget. Until a powerful reminder comes along.

This is a great one to analyze with your kids. What would they have thought when Susan Boyle came out on stage? Who else do they make assumptions about without really getting to know? I have caught my son several times of late rolling his eyes about kids who are not athletic. I have to continually remind him that his sisters gift for singing is every bit as worthy as his for sports.

It’s really important not to judge people based on how they look or what they do. Everyone has value, even if it’s tucked away just under the surface. And some people, like Susan Boyle, have an amazing hidden treasure, just waiting to be revealed.

Can’t view the video? Go here.

She may be a little slow and totally vulnerabe but she is undaunted and proactive. And with the way I feel about the increase in road rage and the decline of manners, this woman could easily be me in 30 to 40 years. This is a classic 30 second battle of Old Age & the Shopping Bag VS. Road Rage and the Air Bag…And the winner is…

Chick-fil-A – do you love it as much as we do?  3 days in a row for me.  Blame it on my growing son!  Watch comedian Tim Hawkins and laugh at his tribute to CFA.