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Blog Adventures


Snappers, Shanks, and Saxophones: Marshall Mini-Break
Well, we did it. Joe and I survived our "long-haul" trek from Pittsburg, Texas . Now, I know what you’re thinking: "Tonya, that’s barely an hour’s drive." But try telling that to Joe. He lives to be behind the wheel, treating our sixty-minute jaunt like we were trailblazing the Oregon Trail. He was in his element, and I was in mine—which mostly involves pointing out the scenery he’s ignoring and reminding him that the speed limit is a suggestion for safety, not a personal ch
Feb 252 min read


A GiGi’s Tactical Guide to surviving Disney World
A Newly Retired GiGi’s Guide to the Disney "Vacation" (I Use That Word Loosely) Let me start by saying this: I am officially retired. I have traded in my professional wardrobe for sensible sneakers and my office stress for the much more important title of GiGi. I’ve survived corporate restructures and decades of government paperwork, so I thought I was ready for Disney World. I was not. Disneyland is a charming weekend hobby; Disney World is a hostile takeover of your central
Feb 244 min read


How Not to Sink on Your First Cruise, Mistakes to Avoid
After a year of medical hurdles, my husband Joe and I decided we deserved a "big one." We booked our first major cruise, drove down to Galveston, and prepared to be pampered. We stayed in a hotel the night before just to be "fresh" for boarding, only to realize the embarkation process was so seamless we could have saved the extra hotel bill and driven in that morning! Safe to say, we learned a lot. If you’re a woman in your 50s looking for relaxation, take it from me: the lea
Jan 184 min read
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