Sep 15, 2012 |
Yesterday, I got this fabulous tweet from Trekaroo:
If you click on their button on my sidebar, you’ll be taken to my Trekaroo page where I’ve written a few mini-blogs for this great family-based review site. Activities, lodgings, eateries… you name it, they review it. And the best part is, it’s written by parents for parents.
And they do these great giveaways every week.
Lo and behold. I won a big one. Awesome, right?!
Here’s the Good Part:
“Winner will receive a 3-night, 4-day trip to Myrtle Beach, complete with accommodations for two persons, a restaurant giftcard and a pair of tickets to choice attractions.”
Now here’s the Bad Part:
“Airfare and/or all other travel to and from Myrtle Beach and charges for items of a personal nature, including, but not limited to gratuities, discretionary hotel and dining charges, phone calls, optional excursions, gift shop purchases, spas, beverages, meals, travel insurance, etc., are the sole responsibility of the winner and his/her guest.”
and
“Prize must be redeemed and travel completed by Dec 31, 2012. Prize is subject to blackout dates including holidays (e.g., Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas).”
What this means is, although I’ve won a trip, unless I come up with airfare and expenditure funds really soon, I won’t be able to go.
I know right now you’re thinking to yourself, “Why did you enter, then?” Honestly? I never thought I would win. I was just trying to help Trekaroo get more support and recognition.
I believe in this website. I believe in the people running it, and the volunteer blogger/reviewers who contribute to it.
I just know, if Dot and I are meant to take this trip, things will work out.
My friend Beth, who is quickly earning her way to being my Personal Assistant/Front Line Cheerleader, suggested I find a travel agent or airlines to sponsor my Blog. She’s full of great ideas like that.
I’m seriously thinking of holding a Bake Sale. I already bought a lottery ticket.
How would you raise funds for a once-in-a-lifetime trip like this?
You’re thinking, “It’s not once in a lifetime.” “It’s only a few hours by plane.” “You can find a way.” But it is once in a lifetime. I haven’t even begun to work my new day job yet. And there’s no guarantee of full-time hours when I do start. Plane tickets are expensive. And let’s face it, who wants a vacation without funds for the little extras like postcards and keychain souvenirs?
Myrtle Beach is Calling… how do I answer?
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
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Do You trekaroo?
Sep 8, 2012
As some of you know, I’ve recently been writing reviews for Trekaroo. I love finding little and big places to review. My mental checklist lights up like a neon sign everywhere I go:
Is it family friendly? How expensive is it? What’s the average age range? Is it clean/fun/educational?
I also love reading reviews from other people. Whether it’s a 140-character Tweet or a hundred-page historical guide, I love reading reviews and viewing photos about travel.
So I thought, wouldn’t it be fun to host a link-up where others can share their travel experiences for all to see?
I’m not trying to step on anyone’s toes (Trekaroo!), but I know Larissa has some great posts about Brazil. And Kate and Mary and others have experienced some wonderful moments in Toronto. Tina lived in my beloved NYC. So why not share?
Are you looking to travel somewhere? Do you have a Pinterest board set up for inspiration? Does your social media always include suggestions of far away places? Or do you prefer the happy solitude of your own backyard? By all means, share and share alike! If you’ve ever blogged about travels and vacations, link your posts up here!
The more the merrier: you never know who you might inspire to travel to your corner of the world… and beyond!
[Please note: “Destination Station! at Frankly, My Dear…” requires a backlink for all posts. This helps us avoid spam and other unsavory content. Thanks for understanding!]
Jul 18, 2012
Thank you to everyone who entered the Route 66 Gift Pack Giveaway. I enjoyed reading all your vacation comments!
The winner is Veronica G., who stated “The best summer trip I ever had was our highschool trip to Myrtle Beach.”
I look forward to doing another giveaway soon, so stay tuned… and Happy Summer!
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Jul 4, 2012 |
It’s summer! Time to bring out the sunscreen and road maps and take a drive.
One of the most favorite drives in America is “The Mother Road”.
From Los Angeles to Chicago. And it runs right through the middle of my town.
Nearly 17 years ago, the Route 66 Museum opened in Old Town Victorville, CA. Run purely by volunteers, this great little place has a plethora of displays that send you back into an era of carefree travels, bobby-socks and malteds, and adventure.
I fell in love with this TearDrop Trailer. It’s the original RV!
Just past this display is a Diner booth and a refurbished jukebox. For a quarter, we picked three songs! Dot loves Brenda Lee so we heard “I Want to Be Wanted”. I picked Dinah Washington’s “What A Difference A Day Makes”. I don’t remember the third song we chose; but later I was bopping to Elvis and Sinatra. I was just thrilled to use the Ol’ Jukebox. What great tones old 45’s have!
I’ve recently rediscovered reruns of the the old TV Show as well. What great drama. ROUTE 66 was the first and only television fiction series that was filmed all over North America. There was this great display dedicated to the show. The photos were provided by someone associated with the show. I was a bit overwhelmed with all the details, so I neglected to get the personal information.
Of course, I was thrilled with the old communications “technology”.
Other great displays include the Hula Ville display, the Model-T Ford, and other various blasts from the past.
Tucked into the Gift Shop Corner is this great selection of books and media that range from the simple and inexpensive to collectors’ editions.
While at the Museum, I put together this collection of Route 66 Memorabilia.
Would you like to win it? You would? I was hoping you’d say that! Well, then. Here’s what you need to do:
1. MANDATORY ENTRY: Leave a comment on this post: What was the best summer trip you had? This entry is mandatory. If you don’t answer this question, all other entries are void. [Canadian entries only: Since I’m opening this giveaway to my Canadian friends as well, if you live in Canada your rules state you must answer a skills test in order to enter. So if you live in Canada and want to enter, you must correctly answer this question in your mandatory comment/entry: If I start the day with ten apples and eat three, then later buy seven at the store, and the next day eat half, how many apples do I have at the end of the second day?]
2. ADDITIONAL ENTRIES: You can earn up to four additional entries (for five entries total) by doing each of the following then leaving a comment here telling me you’ve done so. If you already do any of these things, that counts as an entry only if you post it in the comments. (Additional entries will be verified):
a. Follow me on Facebook and share this giveaway.
b. Follow me on twitter and tweet this giveaway.
c. Follow me on Pinterest and pin this giveaway.
d. Share this giveaway on your own blog and leave the link in the comments below.
If you earn any additional entries, please leave a comment so I can verify.
Here’s the fine print:
SUMMER VACATION TIME: Get Your Kicks and A Route 66 Gift Pack Giveaway!
- This giveaway is solely through Molly Jo and the blog Frankly, My Dear…. There are no corporate sponsors and is in no way endorsed by any other person, business or entity.
- Persons affiliated with New Inklings Press, Frankly, My Dear…, or the Route 66 Museum in Victorville are ineligible.
- Only legal citizens of the United States and Canada aged 18 years and older are eligible to win.
- This giveaway begins at 5:30 a.m. PST on Wednesday, July 4, 2012 and ends at 11:59 p.m. PST on Tuesday, July 17, 2012.
- Winner will be selected from all eligible comments on Wednesday, July 18, 2012 through Random.org.
- One prize pack [$20.00 value] consisting of an historic map of US Route 66, a 2013 Calendar, three postcards, a coin purse, deck of cards, and pen, plus a pamphlet and brochures about Route 66 and Hula Ville will be given. No substitutions or transfers allowed.
- Molly Jo and Frankly, My Dear… are not responsible for any damages that may occur during shipping.
- You may comment as much as you like, but any comment that does not meet the requirements will not be considered for this Giveaway.
- By leaving your comment on this post, you agree to be bound by the rules of this giveaway in their entirety.
Ready to get YOUR kicks? Enter to win with Route 66!
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Jun 12, 2012 |
Dot’s been out of school for just over one week.
Last week, we got in the car and since it was a weekday morning, I almost automatically drove her to school. I caught myself and said, “Hey, I don’t have to drive you to school today!”
And then I realized, “Hey. I never get to drive you to school again.”
In the last week, she’s been hanging with her peeps, reading, and doing the usual, “What are we doing today?” questioning.
So this weekend we saw MEN IN BLACK 3. Great movie! I mean, Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones, New York City, the suits… what’s not to love, right!?
Today we walked to my mom’s house. It’s exactly one mile door-to-door. And since I’ve been wanting to get in a little more exercise, I figure this is a good way to start. Along the way, we took some great nature photographs.
To keep the Family Time Ball rolling tonight, we did something we haven’t done in years: we put together a puzzle!
We had the TV on in the background and watched the Kings take the Stanley Cup! [SHOUT OUT TO THE SECOND FAMILY! BEST HOCKEY FANS ON EARTH!]
It was so much fun! We worked together, we talked, we laughed. For two hours, my daughter and I were solely focused on our Family Time. It went by too fast.
So you know what? I think we’re gonna do it again soon.
Just one of the advantages of being unemployed while Dot’s out of school.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
