When I Grow Up I Want to be a Golden Girl!

I am really going to miss Blanche Devereaux.  I’m going to miss Rue McClannahan, too, She was a beautiful woman with a lot of talent.  But Blanche, well Blanche was my heroine.  A smart, sassy, stylish, sexy woman who loved life, her friends, and yes—she loved the men!  As a Southern woman trying to be any or all of these, Blanche was a true Southern belle and one of my favorite TV characters of all times.  Not since the likes of red-headed Flo from Mel’s Diner has a Southern woman captivated our ideas of what a strength and beauty in one package should be.  Although Blanche never had a catch phrase to rally behind like Flo’s “Eat My Grits”, she had plenty of identifying characteristics that made me like her.

• Blanche fought against aging with every fiber of her being.  She wanted to be young in body, mind, and spirit and often tried out new sports, activities, and ideas.  She knew staying young was an inside job.

• Blanche had a signature sense of style in her clothing and accessories.  She dressed well to please the latest fellow in her life, but to also please herself.  She seemed comfortable in her clothes and confident about her looks.

• Blanche loved her gal pals and went to them for advice, comfort, and a sense of family.  Sometimes it looked like she might sell them short to please a new guy, but in the end she always came through for her roommates and girlfriends.

• Blanche had a career she loved and appreciated.  She volunteered to help the less fortunate and benefitted from a full, well rounded life.

Yes, I am going to miss dear Blanche.  Fortunately for us, the Golden Girls seem to always be in season on Lifetime TV.  Her antics will always be fresh for the next generation of Southern girls looking for a heroine.

Fiddle de dee,  Sandy    

The Airport Shuffle

I love to line dance--it's super fun and good exercise.  The exception maybe what I call the "airport shuffle" --when you ride an escalator to get to another escalator to get to a monorail to get to an elevator and on and on.  But such is the reality of modern day airports, it's part of the dance.  The bigger the airport, the longer the dance, and like a line dance, it's easy to get out of breath.

Another modern day reality that makes the trip longer is, of course, the security check in, which seems to get more elaborate every time I fly.  I laughed out loud when the TSA took my rolledup tube of toothpaste.  As a travel advisor, I spend a good bit of time reminding people what to pack.  I keep a cosmetic case packed so I can grab and go, but my last trip was to a resort and didn't involve flying.  OOPS! note to self!  never assume!

But in the few seconds (which stretched out a l---o----n----g time) when I realized my bin of stuff was being pulled aside and I was being called over-- my thought was OH NO, SOMEONE PUT SOMETHING IN MY BAG!  I had never let my bag out of my sight, but still eek!  I wasn't exactly sure what would happen in this situation but I was pretty sure I wouldn't make my flight, among other things too scary to mention.  When she held up my toothpaste and said she would have to keep it, well as I said, I laughed. 


So to recap, just a couple of points that might be of interest.

• Keep your eyes and hands on your bag at all times.  Don't trust anyone you don't know, no matter how innocent they seem.  Check out reruns of NCIS or rewatch the Mission Impossible movies for examples.  Plus, hey, it's Mark Harmon and Tom Cruise-never time wasted!
• The 3 ounce carry on rule applies to liquids AND gels.  Toothpaste IS a gel dear readers!
• Don't argue with the nice TSA's.  They are there for your protection and just doing their jobs!

Happy and safe travels, Sandy



Sandy, the diva crusiser, is actually Sandy Wheeler, and Independent agent of Connie George Travel Associates.  Follow her adventures on Twitter @thedivacruiser or on her website http://www.sandywheelertravel.com/.  Email questions about this or any of her blogs, she loves to hear from readers. 

Cruising Question SOS-What About My Diet Coke?

Growing up I never acquired a taste for coffee.  Maybe because my parents drank so much of it, maybe because I am just a bit wierd, but for whatever reason, I just can't stand the taste.  So needing to get my "jolt" from somewhere, I turned to diet coke.  I drink it for breakfast and need a couple to get the neurons firing in the morning.  It's like you probably are with your coffee--I don't prefer it--I need it!  Funny but two or my three sisters are the same way.  You should see us at family gatherings, each packing a 12 pack of diet coke under each arm, trust me I have pictures!

So when clients ask me about the availability of their favorite (and necessary) soda on board their cruise ship vacation, I completely understand.  After all, it's not as if you can pop by the 7-11 and stock up in the open sea.  So let's address this question and  see what's available, what's free, and what's for sale.  Here we go:

• Coffee, tea, iced tea, water, are free all day
• Milk and juice are free during the breakfast hours
• Soda is available by the glass at the bars, dining room, pool, and theatre for $2-3 each,
• Alcholic drinks are available at any bar, in the dining room, pool, and theatre $5 and up
• "Drink of the Day" are daily specials and can be made virgin if requested
• Fountain soda cards can be purchased on most cruise lines for $6 per day adults, $4 children (approximate)

The soda fountain card is what I always get--first thing--at the "sail away" party!  (I always get a fruity ptooty sail away drink too, but that's another story).  Considering I drink at least 3 sodas every morning and a gingerale with my evening routine, it's well worth it.  Plus I just like to relax with my diet coke while reading out on the pool deck or having popcorn with the movie out by the pool.  So the soda fountain card saves me a good bit of money. 

A couple of things to remember!  All prices are for example and not a contract.  Prices change, usually going up, these are the latest I found today and vary a bit by the particular cruise line.  Secondly, drinks whether sodas or alcholol brought to you by waiters are subject to a 15% gratuitiy.  Lastly, not all lines may have the soda fountain card, so you will want to check with your travel professional or check the line's web site.  Fortunately for me, most do!

Now sit back, kick off your shoes, and enjoy your favorite drink!

Until next time, keep the questions coming!  Email me here with your question: sandy@cgta.com

Sandy

Sandy, the divacruiser, is in reality, Sandy Wheeler, an independent contractor with Connie George Travel Associates.  Follow her adventures on Twitter @thedivacruiser or on her web site www.SandyWheelerTravel.com.  Have a question about cruising or one of our trips?  Email Sandy  at: sandy@cgta.com.