Summer Lovin’ Had Me A Blast
Tuesday, September 6th, 2011Or as my kids would say about this summer – happened so fast.
Of course, the kids have been back in school for almost a month by now. I don’t know what happened to the traditional summer break when I was a kid. Summer was always between Memorial Day and Labor Day growing up. To this day, that’s still “summer”.
With kids, you’ve got to plan your family vacations around the kids schedule and school. We just finished up a short trip to the lake to visit Ronda’s parents over this past extended weekend. The highlight of this trip was a ride in our brand new Chrysler Town and Country. The timing was perfect, since the new 2012 models have just started to show up, and we got a phenomenal deal and great rate on a fully loaded 2011 Touring L. The kids love it because they can now watch separate shows on two different screens. (Brittany also loves the hard drive with all her favorite iPod songs.) Ronda loves it because it’s luxurious and has that new car smell. I love it because it has all the bells, whistles, and latest technology while driving. It’s our second Town and Country for the family.
About the only bone I have to pick right now concerning our new van is the lack of E-85 service stations. Of course, problems like this could also open the door with a great solution. I just might have to open me one because the market appears to be wide open at this point. Like the Travel Professionals who appear to be stuck in the mud about changing and adapting to the technology and the times, there are those who continue to argue about corn based ethanol as a solution. Somebody needs to stop arguing – and just start doing one or two of the many options and solutions that doesn’t involve corn to produce ethanol – and do it on a massive scale.
While I agree flex fuel isn’t the perfect solution – those of us who are able to look around and see how the car industry is producing these flex fuel vehicles now and how many people are buying them in an effort to contribute to a more sustainable future for our kids – it’s still a better alternative than the fossil fuels we are currently depleting.
Speaking of flex fuel…
One of the big advantages of running your own business is the flexibility. The weekend trip to the lake was one of many trips this summer we took together as a family. I have the flexibility to do all this providing it works with the kid’s schedule. There was no worry about Ronda and I being able to take time off – we just did it. While this summer’s breaks were spread out over several weeks for trips to the beach and extended family time we’re planning a small but significant change for next summer.
The entire month of July.
One of the lessons I learned early on about being a business owner is that when you work hard, you should also plan to play hard. We’ll be setting aside the entire month next summer for family time and trips to various locations. Part of it will include extended family, and part will be reserved for just the four of us. The individual weeks were nice this summer, but far too short and spread apart. In addition, we’ll still be working part of the time while away. I’ll most likely keep up with the newsletter – at least on a limited basis. (I’ve only missed one week in 3 and a half years of writing it.) The cruise we’re planning will also be a group cruise for our new client base and new business. Part of the amenities we’ll use for the group will be a cocktail hour for our guests to thank them for this current years business, and we’ll also host a preview of what’s on tap for the upcoming year for our clients and guests. (I’ve always loved “working” on cruise ships and resorts – because it never seems much like work.)
Taking an entire month off like this for next summer will require a bit more planning over the next several months. I do however have the means necessary to pull it all off and businesses that will enable me to take the extended time off. (Both in time and money.)
None of this happened over night – nor was it always easy to accomplish. But after all these years of learning and growing as a business owner, it’s really nice to realize some of the rewards that were always promised to me when I first signed up with YTB. It’s changed my entire perspective and thinking.
And because of it – I’m having a blast even if this summer season is officially over.
Thank you summer of 2011.
PS - If you're involved with YTB, sign up for our FREE Newsletter. As a Website Owner or Website Seller, we'll keep you up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB.
PPS - Subscribe to the Just Picture It Now RSS feed, (including e-mail) for all the latest posts and updates found right here!
|
|
|
Doug & Ronda Bauknight AKA: TravelPro Travel Agent / Networker Phone: 678.458.5812 |
Book Your Travel & Vacations With ![]() |
| TSO #588629 |













