How to Take a Five Day Vacation on a $500 Budget!

I am a stay-at-home mom who has occasional part-time jobs and a burgeoning small pillow business.  Monday through Friday, my husband goes to the office.  He also travels around to interesting cities on a regular basis for work.  We have two children and live in an inner ring Detroit suburb. (How's that for throwing out urban planning terms in my blog!)  Anyway, in order for me to be a stay-at-home mom, we have to make sacrifices.  There, now you know why my hair is always a mess and I sometimes wear strange clothes.  I blame it all on the budget.  Well, I guess I may have looked a little strange even before kids, so..... Anyway, we have not flown to a sunny, sandy and tropical family vacation since Mimi was eleven months old.  Now those are good memories.

Happiness!!!!

But, as someone who loves to travel I really need to get away fairly regularly.  We spend a lot of time in the summer at my parent's vacation home in the Michigan's U.P.  Heavenly and cheap!!!!  However, you sometimes need to get out of your home state.  We visit Chicago about two to three times a year to visit my brother, sister-in-law, and niece.  About once a year, Kevin and I cash in frequent flier miles and we meet up in a city where he is attending a conference.  Most importantly, we try to take our little girls on some super cool vacations while clinging to our budget.

Basics on how to go away for five days on $500

1.  Find hotel deals that offers buy one night, get one night free.  Sometimes you have to go off season.  There are advantages to travelling off season such as fewer people.  Check out lodges at state parks - cheap rates off season and affordable rates in season

2.  Camp - although I would like to do this, I need to work at getting my family on board.

3.  Get a credit card that awards you with points for travel.  Be it one that gives you frequent flier miles or one that gives free hotel nights.  We have a Marriott card and we have reaped more benefits that I could have ever imagined.  It helps that Kevin travels a lot of work.  He puts all of his work related travel expenses on this card.  It is paid off every month with his reimbursement checks and we get oodles of free hotel nights.

4.  Find a hotel with free breakfast and a mini fridge in the room.  Bring some of your own snacks, fruit, or breakfast if not included in the hotel.  If you are really cutting costs then bring bread, peanut butter, etc. for picnic lunches.

5.  Buy a fuel efficient car if you will be driving long distances regularly.  All four of us travel comfortably in my Scion xD.  It is actually shocks me every single time we load up my car that we can do it.  

6.  Take advantage of AAA discounts.

How we went on vacation to Louisville, Kentucky for $500


When planning our trip, we knew we wanted to go somewhere warmer than Michigan but within about a six hour drive.  We also needed to stay at a Marriott since we had oodles of points to cash in on. We have all been to Louisville before on day trips but thought it might be fun spend a few days.  We stayed at the Spring Hill Suites by Marriott in Hurstbourne for four nights, five days for free.  We had a suite, access to the swimming pool, workout room, and free breakfast.  Lodging is really the biggest cost of travelling and we had that covered.  Kevin's birthday was also just a couple days before we left.  He signed up to be on e-mail lists for restaurants and he earned a couple free birthday dinners which were redeemed in Louisville.  Now, here is how we spent our fun money:

Day One

$6 on breakfast bagels from Einstein - it is much easier to eat on the road.
$17 for lunch at McDonalds - when did the Ronald start charging so much for happy meals?
$33 for gas
$14 for admission to Locust Grove.  This is an historic home where George Roger Clark lived.  http://www.locustgrove.org/
$30 for dinner at Ruby Tuesday (Kevin ate for free.)

Total $110

Locust Grove

My offspring

Violet was sick and tired of being on the tour of Locust Grove!

Day Two


$22 lunch at Subway - seriously pricey subs
$14 admission to the Yew Dell Botanical Gardens - run, don't walk to this place as it is seriously lovely.  http://www.yewdellgardens.org/
$34 dinner at Mimi's Cafe (Kevin ate for free)
We also went to Tom Sawyer State Park that day for free!

Total $70

Beautiful barn at the gardens - great place for an event.

Love these flowers.

Castle on the grounds - used to be a pool house.

Uh - that's me!

Day Three


$17 for lunch at Panera
$30 for Admission to Pleasant Hill Shaker Village http://www.shakervillageky.org/
$4 for bottles of water because we forgot ours in the hotel room
$28 for gas
$5 for a flashlight
$14 for pizza
$22 for my ghost tour of Waverly Hills http://www.therealwaverlyhills.com/
$4 for two small milkshakes

Total $124

Kids can dress up like a Shaker.

The yarn there was awesome!
Made me wish I had talent when it comes to knitting.

Shaker farm.

Me at Waverly Hills - I like ghost stories a lot!

Day Four


$20 admission to the Louisville Zoo - we have a reciprocal membership thanks to the Detroit Zoo so we paid 50%  to get in.  http://www.louisvillezoo.org/
$17 for lunch at Jason's Deli.
$40 for dinner at the Old Spaghetti Factory (I am estimating because I don't remember for sure and Kevin is in Vegas earning us some Marriott rewards.)

Total $77

Baby polar bear - Mimi took this photo

Louisville has elephants - this was real treat because Detroit no longer has elephants.

Happy girls!

Day Five 


$33 for Easter lunch at a pizza place somewhere in rural Kentucky - what a rip off.
$50 for gas - I think we filed up twice
We got back to Michigan in time for me to make pasta for dinner.

Total $88

Easter morning family picture before church!

Grand Total of the Trip $469.00 - give or take $25 in case I forgot to write something in the log.


There it is!  A vacation on $500.  This is not the first time we have planned a vacation on $500.  We try to take two of these types of trips a year.  We do not sacrifice fun or comfort.  The girls are happy, we are happy.  It is a challenge but it is also kind of like a game.  Can we do it?  Sure we can!  Give it a try and happy travelling.


Oh, and in case you need more reasons to travel, check out the last two photos.

You never know who you might kiss on vacation....

....or who will kiss you!

Buddy Pillows for Kids With Chronic Illness: Parents, I Need Your Input!

I am pretty lucky that I can honestly say that my friends have some of the cutest kids around.  I mean that seriously and with my whole heart - I love these little people.  I have made some pillows for my friends kids.  Some pillows were made for free as thank you gifts, some were paid custom orders.  But, I enjoyed these projects so much since the pillows were going to people I care about.

Back in December, an old high school and college friend asked me to be a Santa's Helper and make a few pillows.  How could I say no?  We worked together to pick fabrics and we ended up with a set of Dora and kitty cat pillows.

Dora for a "little girl."

Kitty cats for a "big girl."

Fortunately, when Christmas morning arrived and both girls received their pillows, they were happy girls.  I in turn was a happy seamstress.  I know that as time has gone on, the pillows are still in use and the girls are still enjoying them.  That makes me happy.  However, there is more to this story than just decorative throw pillows.  The kitty cat pillow has become much more.  This is where I need some help and input.

The "big girl" that received the kitty cat pillow suffers from a pretty horrible case of asthma.  It is scary and dangerous for the poor kid.  It is also pretty stressful and worrisome for her family.  And from what I understand, her own cat plays a role in her asthma - he doesn't make it worse but he often knows when an attack is coming.  Late night trips to the doctor/ER (any trip to the doctor) and breathing treatments are no fun.  But, for some reason, the kitty cat pillow has become her buddy and she swears the pillow helps her with her asthma.  It gives her comfort and something she can hold onto when she is sick.  This started a conversation between my friend and I - how about marketing pillows from kids who are sick a lot.  Asthma buddies?  But then again, kids have diabetes, cancer, all kinds of unpleasant stuff.  The kitty cat pillow I made is a 16 x 16 pillow.  But maybe the pillow should be smaller, rectangular.  Easy and comforting to hold but also small enough to fit in a backpack to transport back and forth from doctors and hospital visits.  These pillows could be made in bright, soft, and fun fabrics.  I would make them at covers (just need to find the right insert size) so they can be easily washed.

Now, this is where you come in.  I know a decent number of people read this blog.  I know a lot of you either have kids or know kids who might benefit from something like this  So give me your input.  Anything!  Let me know what you think of size, design, or any ideas you might have for this project.  Leave a comment on here, Facebook, or even message me privately.  I really want to know what YOU think.

Spring Charity Craft Show: Abysmal

The alarm went off this morning at 6 a.m.  It was dark and chilly outside.  I felt like I was going to barf.  I rolled over and Kevin says, "You excited?"  No, I wasn't excited.  I was apprehensive.  But, sometimes nerves can give one a healthy advantage, right?  Well, the morning went off without a hitch and I arrived at Troy High School at 7:45 a.m. on the dot for crafter check in.  Kevin was at home trying to convince Violet to wear clothes, any clothes, while I was at the high school wrestling with bins and bins of pillows.  We both had our own challenges.

Ready to go!!!

Set-up went smoothly as expected.  My neighbors, with the exception of one, were all very friendly.  There were forty crafters in attendance selling everything from housewares and jewelry to snacks.  I was feeling pretty good because I was the only one selling pillows.  I was also no longer feeling like I was going to barf.  At 10:00 a.m. the show started with lackluster fan fair.  People started trickling in.  The first tricklers bought two tooth fairy pillows for $12.  Yeah!!!  I was happy.  Very happy.  I thought this was a good sign.  But, shoppers were trickling in very, very slowly.  At 11:30, Kevin sent me a text inquiring about my sales.  Nada! Zero! Nothing since 10:05 a.m.  I was however getting quite a bit of reading done.  I am glad that at the last minute I ran upstairs to get Mennonite in a Little Black Dress.  The most popular crafter in the entire room was a nice old guy, who was selling foam visors that he hand decorated with Sharpie markers.  His overhead was low and people loved him.  And while maybe foam visors are corny, the guy does know how to draw.  

The girls arrived!

Violet is ready to sell.

My display

At about 1:00 in the afternoon, I noticed several familiar faces enter the show; Kevin, Mimi, Vi, my mom, and my dad arrived.  Yeah!!!!  I had company!!!  Still no sales.  At about 2:00 ish, I started watching other crafters taking down their displays and leaving.  I decided to do the same.  The consensus among the crafters was that this show was a dud - no one was making any money.  

The parents are always fun to have around.

Selling is fun!

Goofing around!

Good Points

• I don't have to make any pillows for my Chippewa Valley Show.  
• Most people were pretty darn friendly.
• I got to do a lot of people watching. (Watching husbands and wives, mothers and daughters shop is hilarious.) 
• I got more experience setting up shop.
• I sold two tooth fairy pillows.
• Most shoppers told me my pillows were pretty and soft.

Bad Points

• I lost money.  $60 for the booth, $10 for the table.
• Because I committed to the show, I had to miss out on a Mimi/Mommy day at the Shirley Temple Double Feature this afternoon.  It really kills me that I missed this event.
• I did not go to the Easter Bunny Breakfast with Kevin and the girls because I was busy selling two tooth fairy pillows.
• I am feeling depressed.  

My sad drive home - I am in the red car.  

So far, craft shows are not going my way.  Both have had very low turnouts.  I have one more in the works: Chippewa Valley High School on May 5th.  It will be interesting to see how it goes.  Am I picking the wrong shows?  Is it my product?  So many questions to consider.  As I was taking my last load out to my car, foam visor guy came over and said, "Hey guys.  I just want you to know you have a really classy product.  Your pillows are really nice.  I am seasoned at this and I barely broke even today.  I am a craft show carnie and still had a hard time bringing people in.  You need to take these pillows up north to Petosky and Charlevoix to those little shops.  People would love them up there.  These are really nice."  Thank you foam visor guy, you really made my day!  

Spring Charity Craft Show: Goal Setting and a Sneak Peak!

March 31, 2012 is almost here.  Time has a way of really sneaking up on a girl.  I told myself that the next time I did a craft show, I would be prepared much more in advance.  Well, I signed up for this one kind of late.  In between, we went on a week long vacation, Kevin traveled a bit for work, Ron Swanson entered my life, then there is dance and t-ball classes for the girls, my book club (yes, reading a big priority), and life in general getting in the way of my productivity.  Trust me, living the life of a stay-at-home mom with a two year old and five year old is not a life of leisure.  Theoretically, I thought when I moved my sewing area downstairs, I would have more time to work.  No!!! But, I do have more time to referee two little girls arguing over who is going to play with what toy.  Therefore, most sewing is done at night after the little ones have been put to bed and I am already a tired.  But, I can't complain too much since it is the life I have chosen.  But, I am almost done preparing for my craft show.  I have five more tooth fairy pillows that need to be sewed shut.  Only one more hour of work waiting for me.  Therefore, I thought I would take a little break and break down what it is I am hoping to accomplish.


The Important Stuff
First, if I want to sell pillows, I need to do my part in letting people know where the craft show will be taking place.  If you want to know more about the group that is benefiting from the craft show, click here!

My Goals
This is my second craft show.  The first was the Candy Cane Lane Craft Show back in December.  Here is a quiz...Do you remember my goals?  Don't worry, I don't really remember them either.  For a look back, click here.  Well, my goal for that show was to sell 30 pillows.  Little did I know going into the show, they have an historically low turnout.  Maybe a couple hundred people including children showed up.  I sold four 16 x 16 pillows and 8 tooth fairy pillows.  While I more than recouped the cost of my table, it was a fun but slow day.  My impression is that the Spring Charity Craft Show is much larger.  Therefore, I am going to keep the goal at 30 pillows, the same goal I had for pillow sales back in December.  I am going to have fun.  I am going to smile a lot.  Maybe I will pick up a few more Facebook Likes.

Sneak Peak
This time around, I still have some complete pillows that I am selling.  They are sewn up and stuffed with a poly-fil batting.  They look pretty darn good.  Here is what they look like:

This is an old picture.   Some of these pillows are no longer available.

I will also be selling pillow covers.  These are convenient if you are the type of person who likes to change your throw pillows as the seasons or your mood changes.  Here is a sampling of unstuffed pillow covers:

 

Pretty colors and prints!

Do you see the 715 Pillows tag?

A stuffed pillow cover.

I also have a wide variety of tooth fairy pillows.  Ladybugs, sports, fairies, MSU and U of M football, cupcakes, karate, and peace signs.  I believe I am offering a wide variety of interests for children who are entering their "toothless years."

Anyone lose a tooth lately?

 Last, but not least, I purchased two bags to Tootsie Rolls.  Please come by and say "hi" because I do not need to be eating all the yummy treats.  Especially since I have an appointment to get a physical next week.  I need a normal BMI, people!!!  Help me out.  At least come by and eat a Tootsie Roll.  They are free, you know.  

Yummy Goodness!!!!

To recap:  I am selling pillow in Troy at the Spring Charity Craft Show on March 31st.  I will be selling pillows, pillow covers, and tooth fairy pillows.  I will be giving away free Tootsie Rolls.  Again, I will be giving away free Tootsie Rolls.  If you don't have plans, come on out and see me.  If you do have plans, cancel them and come out and see me.  Tootsie Rolls.....

My (Un?)Healthy Obsession With Ron Swanson!

I am not very up to date when if comes to television shows.  I tend to discover "cool" stuff after it has been around a couple years.  I have faithfully watched Modern Family from the beginning - that is the only current show I watch.  However, I very recently discovered Parks and Recreation at the urging of my husband.  I dedicate this post to my absent husband, Kevin.  

I am a former government employee.  I have held jobs in Federal, State, and local arms of government.  I have had dealing with politicians, I know a few inside stories, and I have dealt with the public.  When the show, Parks and Recreation, first came out, I just wasn't interested.  About a month ago, Kevin and I were looking for something to watch on Netflix and decided to give Parks and Rec a try.  I am so glad we did.

I love the use of profanity.  Yes, I think swearing is fun.  (No, I am not always a lady.)  I like all of the characters.  Perhaps because I knew them when I was a government employee.  Perhaps because I see myself in some of these characters.  But mostly, I love I am obsessed with this show because of Ron Swanson.  Is it his mustache?  Does he have me in some sort of trance?  Is it is coiffed hair-do?  Is it his love of bacon and dark haired women?  Really, it doesn't matter because I am hooked.     

Ron Swanson

Ron Swanson is a libertarian.  While I agree with very little the man says, I laugh at pretty much everything the man says.  Because writing some of my favorite quotes will do nothing for this blog post, let us watch a couple clips courtesy of You Tube, shall we:

Ron Swanson comparing the government to a greedy piglet

Ron Swanson avoiding a citizen complaint

Ron Swanson and a German Muffin

Ron Swanson: You had me at meat tornado

Ron F**ing Swanson

Ron Swanson types every work he knows, including butt hole

I really, really, really like it when he yells at women and says, "Damn it woman!"  I find it all hilarious.  I find myself sitting on the couch with a smile that just won't go away.  Kevin and I are catching up on Parks and Rec.  We have five more episodes of Season 3 on Netflix.  We will need to start watching it on regular tv.  Kevin is currently travelling for work and I promised I would not watch the last five episodes without him.  I would wait for his return.  I am allowed to watch previous episodes if I need to get my Ron Swanson fix.  You Tube is also working out nicely because I can look for specific quotes.  

But, Ron Swanson is now everywhere!  On the back of the Honey Nut Cheerios box there is an illustrated character:  Looks to me like Ron Swanson.  Royal Oak is having a bacon fest:  my first thought was Ron Swanson.  Last night I was reading Newsweek and saw that Portland, Maine is having a mustache festival.  What do I think?  I bet there will be a few Ron Swanson's there.  Healthy vs. unhealthy obsession?  I am starting to think I am a weirdo because I am really not that into television shows.
  

Kevin, I just want to let you know, that so far I have not cheated in your absence.  I have not watched Parks and Recreation.  Instead, I finished Season 1 of Downton Abby knowing you would not be as delighted with this show as I am.  I do want to remind you that my birthday is coming up and this is what I want:

You can purchase this t-shirt by clicking on this link

Darling, I am eagerly awaiting your return from Dallas.  I am quite sure Friday night will be a night to remember:  our cozy living room, a bowl of popcorn, and Ron F**king Swanson.  

"Spring Charity Craft Show" Supports I've Got Your Backs Foundation

March 31st is rapidly approaching!  What is going on March 31st, you ask?  Well, that is the day of the Troy Business 4H Group's "Spring Charity Craft Show" at Troy High School.  Troy High School is located at 4777 Northfield Parkway, Troy, Michigan 48098.  Proceeds from this show support local crafters, like myself, but more importantly an organization called I've Got Your Backs Foundation.  I've Got Your Backs Foundation is an organization that before now, I have never even heard of to be completely honest with all of you.  But, upon investigation, it sound like a pretty cool group.  From their website, it sounds like they help kids and their families with pretty much everything from scholarships, clothing, furniture, sports equipment, medical bills, and everything in between.  They even have a Facebook Page should you wish to "like" them.

Follow the link and check them out!

After doing one craft show, I am learning that craft shows are fun for lots of reasons.  Mostly, I really like meeting and chatting with people.  I am kind of chatty.  But, wow!  This craft show is going to help a really great organization.  It is nice to know that this craft show is for the benefit of a charity, for a group whose mission is to "educate, impact, and inspire hope to youth in need."  Kids are pretty cool, so it is nice to know there are good people and good organizations out there who want to help kids out.

Oh, and what I really like, is they have a school program called the "Kindness Challenge".  The goal of the program is to encourage children to think before they act.  Kindness is better than violence or harm.  Children log their acts of kindness and at the end of the program, rewards are handed out to those who have completed the most kind acts.  While earning a prize may be a short term motivator, I am quite sure the lesson learned will inspire these students for a lifetime.  I can still remember many acts of kindness bestowed upon myself and my children from perfect strangers.  What a great lesson!

I am proud to be a part of this craft show.  Not only because as a rookie crafter this is a personal achievement for me, but also because I can simultaneously support a great group!  So, friends, family, and perfect strangers; come on out on March 31st to the "Spring Charity Craft Show" and support the I've Got Your Backs Foundation.  And by the way, Mimi already reminded me that I need to buy some candy to put out at my table.  Support a charity, visit 715 Pillows, and you get a free snack on March 31st from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Troy High School!

Practice Makes Perfect: A Love Affair With Tags

For quite some time, I have been wanting to buy little tags to sew into the seams of my pillows, pillow covers, and tooth fairy pillows.  I thought it might be nice for customers to have a way to remember who made their pillow.  Now that I have a central website, 715pillows.com it made sense to get some tags that simple said, 715pillows.com.  But where to buy...

There are many online companies that sell tags.  It is actually a little overwhelming because there are so many options when it comes to sizes, styles, and fabric.  In the end, I went with an Etsy store named, gutenTAGs.  I love the name of the store and the seller was offering everything I needed in a tag.  I would highly recommend gutenTAGs for tags.  The service was fast and friendly, and the tags were affordable.  (gutenTAGs did not ask me to say anything nice, I just am.)

gutenTags!  All I do is fold in half and sew into the pillow.
Easy as pie!

I was so excited about my tags, I started sewing a pillow with a tag.  First, the tag fell out and was not sewn in.  Oops.  Second, half the tag was sewn in.  Oops.  Third, the tag was completely sewn into the pillow cover in a completely unacceptable way.  Oops.  I decided to take a break from my gutenTAGs.

Grr...the tag slid and I sewed it into the corner. 

Doesn't look horrible, yet it doesn't look good.

However, today I decided to give my tags another shot.  Or shall I say I decided to give myself another shot at sewing the tags in correctly.  This time, I pinned the tag LENGTHWISE between the front and back of the pillow.  Therefore, I knew exactly where my seam needed to be AND the little bugger could not slip out.  I sewed my pillow, turned it right-side-out with great anticipation to find out that...I did it the right way.  I am hoping that each time I sew a pillow, the tag is flawlessly sewn in.

Oooohhhh!!!!  Nifty tags

It is my hope, that all my customers are happy customers, and hearing from happy people makes me happy.  Therefore, it would be nice for happy people to know where to find me.  And unhappy customers, well, you now know where to find me so I can make you happy, too.  715 Pillows, making the world happier, one pillow at a time.