Facebook Fun and Games

I admit it, I absolutely love Facebook! I check it every morning just after I check my business and personal email. I update it most every morning, sometimes several times a day. I check it before I go to sleep at night--I confess I love Facebook! To my friends and family, this comes as no surprise, to those of you who don't know me--well don't judge until you try.

Why do I love FB? Several reasons divided into two different categories. First personal reasons. Did you know I hardly ever miss a friend or family member's birthday now? And, I have reconnected with a friend I started elementary school with. In fact, more than one. Several people I went to high school with, people I knew from 25 years ago; it's amazing how many people I am finding. I found a lost cousin, people I love that I used to work with, and about a hundred kids I taught while they were in high school who are now raising kids of their own. I see what my own kids are doing even when they don't take the time to call their mom, and can take pride in my nieces and nephews as they enter their high school years. It's wonderful--I LOVE Facebook.

The second reason I love it is for business. I use it to introduce cruise specials, connect with clients and post my blogs, tweets, and pictures. I met my business coach and have received help, advice, and a chance to mentor from several like minded industry leaders and new friends. I have found suppliers and resources as well as inspiration from other small business owners working their way through the joys and problems of business ownership. I LOVE Facebook.

Some people maintain you really need to have two separate accounts, and they may be right. I tried it and didn't like doing it that way. I wound up mixing the two parts of my life by accident or lack of time anyway; plus I feel a person is the sum of their parts, so there you go.

However, I have a little advice that I would like to pass along.

• If you are like me and use FB as a personal and professional tool, be careful that you keep a decent balance. Too much info either way may be aggravating.
• Don't use your FB as a political, moral, or economic platform. Think before you expect other adults to change their minds about any of the before mentioned, no matter how eloquent your debate.
• Be careful the information you list in your updates. I freely give my business phone, but almost never give out my home phone or home address.
• Remember your Facebook page may be indexed by Yahoo and Google. Often my FB page will come up higher than my actual web page. And while most of the info is protected, any entry level hacker can figure out a way around the safeguards, so again discretion is advised.

Just some friendly advice, some unfortunately I learned the hard way. I am certainly no expert, but then that's another one of the beauties of Facebook--anyone can learn to use it and enjoy the product for personal and professional benefit. Just another reason I LOVE Facebook!

Keep on posting,

Sandy

Sandy, the diva cruiser, is in reality Sandy Wheeler, an Independent Contractor for Connie George Travel Associates. Follow her adventures on www.SandyWheelerTravel.com and on Twitter @thedivacruiser

The Fruit Bowl Blog Post

I get aggravated when I see cruise ads for outrageous prices like "5 Day Cruise for $200". I have to ask 'cruise where and on what?' seeing in my mind a johnboat floating down a river with the theme from Deliverance playing menacingly in the background. What gets me even more aggravated is when my hardworking clients call me thinking they have found the deal of the century and want to book a well deserved vacation for their family at these prices. Sadly I have to inform my clients this price they found does not include the total cost of their vacation. They are not making a comparison "apples to apples" as my partner Connie loves to say. You can't compare apples to pears and have an adequate understanding of the value of your vacation. Cruise prices should include your base fare + your port fees + taxes+ any other items you wish to add on such as travel insurance, transfers to and from the cruise port, airfare, shore excursions, cruisetours, hotel stays before or after the cruise, prepaid gratutities for your crew members, AND anything else you wish to add to the mix. Your price quote must include the components you want and need to make your vacation the success you deserve. Your travel professional can walk you through each step saving you time, money, and lots of aggravation. One size does not fit all and clicking the NEXT button on your computer is not a good way to choose your vacation options! Your travel professional can help you compare apples to apples so your next cruise is as tasty and fun as a fresh baked apple pie!


Sandy, the diva cruiser, is in reality, Sandy Wheeler, an outside agent for Connie George Travel Associates. Follow Sandy on Twitter @ladiestravel; and @thedivacruiser.

Girls getaway and inspirational cruise! Key West, Cozumel and 2 days of "reaching for the star in you" sessions. http://tinyurl.com/onr3xg

Sell 5 cabins and get $500! Easy way to get together any sized group, CRUISE, & make $ doing it! More details .http://tiny.cc/500265

Birthdays and Bucket Lists

This year marks a milestone for me-my son turns 30. We mothers celebrate every birthday of our children with tender memories and this one will be no different. This birthday has a lot of significance for two reasons. First, I can no longer lie about my age. Having a 30 year old son puts me out of my 40’s forever. Secondly, I remember vividly the year he was six and I was 30. It was at his birthday party that I finally decided I had to get help and find out what was wrong with me. I struggled badly to entertain my family and a few of his friends for the birthday bash, I was fatigued, constantly, and no amount of rest seemed to help for more than a few hours. There were times when I couldn’t stand I was so weak, and even breathing was labored. My job as a classroom teacher was in jeopardy; heck, my life was in jeopardy. I knew that day if I wanted to see another birthday party for my kids I had to find answers.

Many specialists, diagnoses, and 3 years later I had an answer. It was an incurable neuromuscular disease called myasthenia gravis. No cures, but lots of treatments existed and were available to me. It took another three years to pull myself out of the physical and emotional valley I was in. There were times I wasn’t sure I would make it, but I fought for reasons big and small. One thing that sustained me then and now is a deep faith. I was pretty sure God wasn’t done with me yet at 33 years of age. And the thought of not being there for my kids was something I was not going to accept. Birthdays, high school, weddings, and now looking toward those grandkids! One small but significant encouraging factor was my “dream trip” list, a bucket list if you will; of all the places I wanted to visit when (not if) I got well. I checked out every book on travel in the library twice, clipped magazine articles, searched through phone books, and scoured brochure racks. I was an armchair traveler extraordinary, even planning out itineraries for myself and my friends. Is it any wonder I became a travel agent? Now, I am doing great and still enjoy planning trips, particularly as girl’s getaway travel consultant for our agency.

I gave you the above background so you will know where I speak from when I say what an honor it is to work with two noted disability specialists, Connie George, and Vicki Thorpe. These two gals work tirelessly with the tiniest of details to make sure that people with disabilities have the chance to say “I can go too”. Ladies, I salute you for your dedication and experience and the opportunity you give everyone to fulfill their own travel bucket list.

Happy traveling,


Sandy

Sandy, the diva cruiser, is in reality Sandy Wheeler, the Chicks at Sea lady. Follow her adventures on Twitter @thedivacruiser, @ladiestravel, and www.ChicksAtSea.com.