Traveling with Kids

For the first time ever, I decided to take a vacation between Christmas and New Years. As we all know winter can be so cold and long in Michigan. So after a few phonecalls with my travel agent, our destination was Palm Beach, Florida. We would leave on Christmas day and return just in time for New Years Eve. My kids were excited; unfortunately, my husband couldn't go.

After realizing how booked the flights were, I booked my parents on a different airline. We would all eventually meet up in Ft. Lauderdale.

Once again putting on my Superwoman cape, I packed up the kids and prepared to take on the airport. Anticipating the craziness, and committed to arriving with the same amount of children I left with, we headed to Metro Airport.

Much to my surprise, we checked our bags outside with the friendliest Northwest employee. Then we immediatly went inside to what seemed like another host waiting for us. He directed us to security where we were immediately escorted to the front of a very long line of travelers. After checking our ID's and boarding passes we were directed to the next front of a line to go thru more security. We all stripped off our shoes, coats, jewelry and bags and were scanned thru, then cleared to head to our terminal.

We then saw again the same N.W. employee from the entrance and he asked us if there was anything we needed and if everything was going ok. I told him we were great. Ignoring a few stares, we approached our gate which happened to be the first one!

We checked in at the gate 45 minutes early (which happens to be a record for me). I informed the check-in girl that our seats weren't all together, knowing that would NEVER work, she politely told me to give her a few minutes and she would take care of it. And she did. All five of us were sitting together and on our way to sunny skies in no time.

So after receiving all this fantastic service, I had an epiphany while on the plane. ( Kids happily eating their Travel Treats, $5 each.) If you're traveling alone with kids, you need to travel with MULTIPLE children ! Besides a few stares, we got quick, top notch, friendly service.

It was a Breeze!

Make it a Great Holiday,
Cathy

Green Wrapping

Wrapping gifts with virgin paper is obsolete. If every American went paper-free for just 3 gifts, we'd save a collective 47,000 football fields' worth of wrapping paper. Better choices include cloth wrapping material like scarves, guest or kitchen towels, T-shirts and even socks. Outdated maps work fine, too. It's a fun, easy, chic way to go green!

Cooper

Last Christmas, Santa delivered a life changing present....a black lab puppy!

Cooper arrived around 5am. He slowly walked thru the kitchen, checking out his surrounding, very unsure of himself. I had no idea what I had just done!

Last weekend, I was sitting at my daughter's hockey game. I looked down at my new Nike tennis shoes. I noticed the side had been chewed off! My 5th child-my now 80lb lab-ruined yet another pair of my shoes!

He is full of energy, to say the least. Before we got him, I envisioned the kids playing ball, Cooper and I going for a run, simply having a family pet. A pet the kids would bond with and be responsible for.

So the reality is, we have a pet who requires everyone's attention. He demands it! He jumps in the car any chance he gets. He sits in the passenger seat-facing forward-just like a person! He jumps in the pond any chance he gets.

He loves to eat shoes, underwear, dolls, golf balls, carpet, library books, pencils, homework and Christmas ornaments. Our USA Hockey player came in last week with his USA hat on. When he turned I was shocked to see the hat he was wearing was missing a side! Cooper!

The day I realized that he was with us for life was the day he was lost for about 30 minutes. I was absolutely panicked! I called the salon and told them I was going to be late-maybe even gone all day! How could I tell my kids that their beloved dog was lost? I drove around the sub looking for hime with a big lump in my throat. I was remembering how much we all love him. I couldn't imagine life without him! I turned the corner and there he was! Standing there in the snow with his red collar on-in his own yard-looking at me. At that moment I knew no matter how many pairs of underwear he destroyed, he was a part of our family. We will love him forever!

Strengths Finder 2.0

I am a fan of inspirational books. I use them both in my personal and professional lives. It has been my experience that by always reading something positive and motivational, it keeps me from sweating the small stuff and helps me stay focused on the important stuff.

Last year I was introduced to Clifton StrengthFinder by the Gallup Organization and Tom Rath. The concept is that people have 34 Signature Themes-strengths and weaknesses. To find your top 5 strengths you take a short online test. The power behind this knowledge is rather than focusing on your weaknesses, you can now focus on your strengths. Focusing on building your stregnths generates positivity, success and understanding.

The cost of the book ranges from $13-$23. It comes with a code inside that allows you access to the online test. The book also describes the 34 signature themes and ways to work on your strengths.

Most of my team at Brown and DeLine have taken the test and know their top 5 strengths. This knowledge has been a very useful tool.

It has guided us in:

• connecting the right teams
• sending the right people to the right classes
• clarity as to why people do the things they do
• basic understanding of people
• job placement
• task delegation

This list could go on. The bottom line is that it has been so enlightening and refreshing to be able to accept people for who they are and to focus on their strengths. I highly recommend this book!

My Top Five Strengths are

1. Activator
2. Achiever
3. Command
4. Focus
5. Competition

People who are activators move at a fast pace and get things done. They have a lot of stamina-which explains why I happen to be writing this at 4am!

Make it a great day!

My Mom

My Mom is an Angel.

Saturday night after working a busy holiday Saturday at the Salon, making Christmas cookies with the kids (sprinkles everywhere!), going to the Saline Holiday Parade, eating dinner out, and dropping kids off at friends-I got home around 9pm.

Walking into the house I was preparing to conquer the aftermath of the day. Much to my surprise, someone had snuck into my house and cleaned my kitchen spotlessly! At first I thought it was my husband-but as I looked closer, the cleaning was too perfect. Then, I saw the note...Love from Grandma and Grandpa xoxo. I was so grateful. It was as if Santa Elves had come!

This time of year people seem to shout gratitude more. There is such joy when we 'adopt-a-family', donate to a cause, rescue a dog, drop money into those buckets outside the mall (we all know the sound of those bells!), or attend a charity craft show. We should be sure to show gratitude to our families, too. Without them, where would we be?

I am so grateful for my Mom. Not just because she helps me, but because she has helped make me who I am. She is caring, loving, giving, strong, positive, Christian focused, active, helpful, smart, organized--this list could go on. She has more friends and groups than anyone I know. She mentors, coaches, facilitates and hostesses everyone. She actually had a thought last week of going back to work! My sister and I laughed. We both said WHEN?

I am grateful to have her as my role model. I hope to pass all these positive traits on to my own children.

My Mom is truly an Angel sent from Heaven!

Lucile B Conger Holiday Gift Market

Yesterday I attended the Lucile B Conger Holiday Gift Market at Barton Hills Country Club. A portion of vendor sales was donated to the Conger group.

The Conger group raises undergraduate scholarship funds for talented women in financial need to attend the University of Michigan.

The Club was crowded with people searching for the perfect Christmas gifts. The vendors' booths were stocked full with merchandise. The Spirit of Christmas was everywhere!

One booth that created a lot of buzz and excitement was Pearl Style. Owned and operated by a dynamic woman-Cathy Stabler. Her upbeat attitude, savvy business sense and phenomenal customer service skills make her a standout! Join her email list to receive promotions and show dates. Send your email address to pearlstylebycathy@yahoo.com.