| Goodbye All-Star Games 2024 - Hello Lake Winnipesaukee  Tanya's Daily Scoop CURRENTLY IN: LAKE WINNIPESAUKEE, NEW HAMPSHIRE Good Day Folks! It's Saturday and I cannot believe that I have only been gone for a week!!! I've experienced so much, done so much and so much has occurred in only 1 weeks time - it's crazy. As of last posting, I was coming at you from our arrival day to Lake Winnipesaukee and I'm still here up in New Hampshire at this really gorgeous lake. It truly is a gem.  Visiting with Grandma (c)travelincousins.com  Opening gifts from Michael (c)travelincousins.com We have gone boating, tubing, kayaking and just touring about the small villages around the lake. It's been a great time!  Ahhhh (c)travelincousins.com  In Meredith, NH (c)travelincousins.com  Outside of Mills Falls (c)travelincousins.com  All the Lily Pads (c)travelincousins.com  Wearing my new hat (c)travelincousins.com  Dominic tubing (c)travelincousins.com  Enjoying the boat (c)travelincousins.com  Cousins swimming in the lake (c)travelincousins.com  At Weirs Beach (c)travelincousins.com The only thing that I feel I have to note that hasn't been great and that has truly irked me has to do with our stay and at our hotel... You know that I've been coming up to this lake to meet up with family for years upon years and yet almost each year I change the accommodations where we stay. I just haven't found that "perfect" place to continue coming back to year after year. That was until this year. I booked us at The Mill Falls Inn - I'd say it's the nicest place on the lake. I was finally comfortable, happy and even excited with the idea of returning back to this resort year after year. That was until... After doing a little bit of running around, come late morning I stopped back at the hotel and had called to inquire when to expect housekeeping. I was assured by the front desk that our room was on the list and that they were a bit behind. *Not that the room was a mess, but ya know fresh towels, empty trash and having a nicely made bed goes a long ways. We left the room and went about our day. Eventually I got a phone call from a cousin who had checked in on our room only to find out that the housekeeping was still not taken care of. UGH  Enjoying smoothies and bowls (c)travelincousins.com  Tubing fun (c)travelincousins.com  Sunset (c)travelincousins.com So, I called yet again and was told the same thing. Before dinner, we had briefly went back to our room after a day of playing out on the water - it was now 6pm and guess what... Our room was STILL now cleaned! 4th call and they actually sent someone up to the room who changed the towels, took out the trash and said that she was done. EXCUSE ME - what about the bed?! The housekeeper said that she would send someone. Within a minute another housekeeper (with a bit of an attitude) shows up and tells me that it's their policy that they no longer make the beds! UMMM WHAT?! What hotel/motel/whatever much less Resort doesn't make the beds?!! Apparently this one. I was no longer a happy camper. On the way to dinner, I had called the hotel and asked to speak to a manager... I had to leave a voicemail. 6th call, I called and complained about this so called "policy". The front desk agent concurred that they do not make the beds and that this was in the paperwork that I received upon check-in. What the Heck At dinner Dominic had asked me if I would stay at the same resort again. I shared that while at first I thought that it was a no brainer, now I feel totally different about the property and feel like I would not be comfortable staying at a hotel that will no make the beds! I am on vacation. I have a hard time believing that anyone on vacation wants to make their beds. We are paying resort fees and nightly fees for a room that is supposed to be cleaned - that is just a part of staying away from home and away from chores. So, after dinner I returned back to our room in search of the documents that I received upon check-in. Stating the limited touch-up service... Guess what I found - 3 bullet points.
I called the front desk for the 7th time and asked for the manager. it went straight to voicemail. I called again, now 8 times and spoke calmly to the front desk agent. Going over the day and the lies that I was given. She was very apologetic and she offered to remove the resort fees. While this was appreciated, I still explained that had I known upon booking this room that my bed was not going to be made, that I probably would've moved on to the next resort.  Sunset on the lake (c)travelincousins.com  Goodnight all (c)travelincousins.com So far everyone that I've told this story to has felt the same way about expecting a certain level of housekeeping - which definitely includes making the bed. What do you think? Tell me in the comments... This Lake Gal is now poolside and going to jump off the computer and enjoy the slight breeze on this otherwise pretty hot day. Ciao 4 Now, -Travelin Tanya | Even Bloggers Feel Under The Weather  Elisa's Daily Scoop CURRENTLY IN: LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK Hey Guys!! Can I tell you the best part of me and Tanya getting back to our blogging routine? Two Things: The first is that it has allowed me and Tanya to get back on a schedule of chatting multiple times a day. And secondly, communicating with all of you - our longtime loyal followers and all of you newcomers!!  While Tanya was settling in and flitting around New Hampshire, her New York-based cuz was feeling a bit under the weather. I'm not quite sure what's going on but I've had a bit of an unsettled tummy for the past day or so. I really don't think it's anything I ate because it sort of comes and goes. So, that's usually the indication that it could be a case of "nerves" or worry. In general, things are going super amazing - let me count the ways...
 Well folks, I think I know what is going on inside of your's truly. I'm about to begin a whole new chapter in my life. The sole parent and single mom of two college kids -- no more high school, no more regulated schedules, no more little ones!! I know lots of parents out there feel liberated at this stage of life - youngest finally in college - having more independence - cutting the apron strings a little bit more. But for me, motherhood is something that has always not only defined me, but has also given me the most fulfillment in my life. I'm not saying that I don't love my career and interests. Being a life and health coach has been one of the most gratifying experiences of my entire life. I LOVE being able to help people discover their own sense of empowerment, reach their goals and embrace the life that they want. Additionally, this vocation (which only began in my 50's) has afforded me an opportunity to learn so much about myself. I have been so blessed with the spectacular individuals that have given me the honor of letting me share their journey - and learn from them - their strength, their creativity and their courage! And of course, you guys know how much I adore anything travel - blogging, visiting fun and exciting destinations near and far and being able to do it all with my bestie cuz. That all being said - I realized today that the coach needs to take the advice she doles out to her beloved clients. Not feeling the greatest all morning, I got myself out of bed, drove Kelsey and her friend to the train station to head to their concert and I decided to engage in some self care. The same kind of self care I encourage my clients to do!!  (c)travelincousins.com First. stop - get a fresh pressed juice. This one was going to just be filled with 2 ingredients - Ginger and Apple.  Ginger is one of my favorite foods!! I try to put it in everything when I cook and I also make hot tea by brewing fresh ginger and I ALWAYS include it in my juices.  Ginger & Apple fresh juice (c)travelincousins.com  (c)travelincousins.com Next stop - the grocery store to get some ingredients for a nice vegetable soup. I know it's summer and it's warm out - but I'm indoors with air conditioning lol. After a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, I added diced up onions, carrots, celery, chopped spinach, broccoli, peas, fresh parsley, garlic powder (didn't feel like chopping), salt and pepper, veggie broth and water. Then a splash of fresh lemon at the end for freshness. I probably should have gotten fresh dill because it just adds such amazing flavor - but, it will do!  Cooking Vegetable Soup (c)travelincousins.com  Voila! Vegetable soup - It turned out very green (c)travelincousins.com I was really disappointed because I went to two grocery stores for the "soup starter" in the produce department, only to realize they didn't have it. I guess the middle of July is not a big time for making a hot, vegetable soup lol. So I bought a few things but really did not feel up to buying all my usual ingredients that are found in the soup starter (i.e.: turnip, parsnip, leek). So, this soup is definitely a bit bland but I guess that's ok for my delicate belly tonight. Next, I decided to get comfortable and just meditate with Dr. Joe Dispenza: 25-Min Self Healing Meditation For Emotional & Physical Healing i have to say, the 25 minutes went very quickly and I couldn't believe how deeply I "fell" into meditation. I find that it really is necessary to sit up when meditating because you don't want to fall asleep, but you want to go deep into a relaxed state of alpha brain state then theta if your skill is well developed. this is where we truly change our beliefs and what we want to attract. I really was refreshed! Well, my dears, I will sign off here - have a phenomenal day!! -Travelin' Elisa |
