Another Aruba All Inclusive Vacation?

Even last year when dh and I took dd to Aruba, it dawned on us, that though our dd was staying free in our room at the Radisson, we still had to feed her. I know, naive of us huh?

Well, this kid doesn't eat off the kid's menu. No matter what the circumstances of her unfortunate upbringing and past, she too has now developed quite a culinary repertoire. Dinners for us on the low side were $80 and on the high side $140. With $12 Caesar Salads at the Radisson we were looking at $50 lunches. $150 - $200 per day for just food no beverages. We are not big drinkers, maybe a bottle of wine with dinner one or two nights, but sodas during the day add up.

YES, One Week IS Too Short!

Remember my post, "Is One Week In Aruba Too Short?"

Dh and I got to talking about our stay in Aruba last September. It was nice, the island was quiet, kids are back in school. Well except ours of course and the weather is good.

God Bless The USA

9-11...comes every year and I don't know what to say. Something should be said but are there REALLY any words to express what happened on that horrible day in our history? My 93 year old grandmother says she can only compare the events of 9-11 to the attack on Pearl Harbor. In her mind at least all these years later, 9-11 was much more horrific for the United States. I can only imagine.

Here and now what do you say to the family members who have this day each year to serve as yet another reminder other than the one they live with daily, that their loved ones are never ever coming home to them? What do you say to the family who has lost a daughter, son, wife, mother, father, son, brother, sister in defense of our country? Thank you and may God bless.

September 11 Digital Archive
Tribute to 9-11 Have You Forgotten?
Lee Greenwood - God Bless The USA
9/11 by the Numbers

"The initial numbers are indelible: 8:46 a.m. and 9:02 a.m. Time the burning towers stood: 56 minutes and 102 minutes. Time they took to fall: 12 seconds. From there, they ripple out."

Darryl Worley - Have You Forgotten

Is Aruba Heaven on Earth?

Dd found out this weekend when you stay at the Tamarijn in Aruba there is unlimited soda, self service soft serve ice cream and pop corn.

Her only words, were a very child-like and dreamy..."Gosh, that will just be like heaven on earth..."

Her father and I pray for diet sprite at the Tamarijn, but we know we will not get that lucky. Sugar + Caffeine= Wound up dd.

Sure Not Everyone Loves Aruba

First impressions are always important. Didn't our mother's drill that into our heads? My first visit to Aruba I hated it. I could care less if I ever returned. I TOO said, "what the heck is the big fuss all about"? My parents who went to Aruba for 2 weeks every February and RAVED about this place. What is the fascination?

Granted, I was only there for one day on a cruise (honeymoon no less), but it RAINED, no, it poured, the entire day! EVERYONE says it "NEVER" rains in Aruba. Since then, 15 or so trips, I've stayed on the island for up to 2 weeks at at time and NEVER had that happen again.