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Surprise – Just Thought I’d Pop In

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Hello Everyone from Hill Country, Texas…my birthplace and old stomping grounds.

I wrote a whole post of blow by blows of our travel and then re-read it and yawned.  So I’ll just give you the financial highlights for now…

Travel Day 1: 32 hours of travel before crashing in our hotel

Costs: Gas (budgeted for,) Movie ($33) when we arrived at our destination too early

Travel Day 2: Several hours showing the kids around where I grew up (middle/high school years,) few hours visiting friends at their homes, 4 hour drive to my parents

Costs: Gas (budgeted for,) Two meals out ($40 authentic Tex-Mex meal, $20 Whataburger) My excuse for the meals was that I wanted to give the kids a taste of uniquely Texas places that they had never seen before.  Even I am no longer convinced by the excuse and it was definitely a financial fail.

We’ve now been at my parents for 4 days and have experienced some really cool and unique places.  Thanks to my parent’s generosity, the only monies I’ve spent are $10 for 2 magnets.  (I collect magnets of every place we’ve been, and have been doing this for years.  It’s a cheap way to remind of daily of all the cool things we’ve seen and done and they never set me back more than $5 each.  Not to mention, they are super easy to store and move!)

We’ll be here for another week and I don’t anticipate any significant monies being spent.

Some side notes:

1. Tomorrow I will eat lunch with one of my long term clients.  That makes a good portion of this trip a tax write off. Woo,woo!

2. I called around trying to find a gym for Little Gymnast to work out since he is missing over 2 1/2 weeks of practices (over 25 hours) and the local gym will let him come work out with their team for no charge.  Score!  I’m letting him decide if he wants to do this since I know he was looking forward to a break, but I’ve facilitated a practice session or two if he desires and that’s my job. (He insisted on bringing him gym bag to work out so I imagine he will break down and want to go at some point.)

3. My only brother who doesn’t live here has been here for our visit thus far with his son.  His son is my children’s only cousin on my side of the family so I’m really glad they got to spend some time with him.  They will leave today.  I know it cost my parents a bit more when we are all here, but the memories are priceless especially since it only really happens once a year.

Thanks for understanding my desire for a hiatus.  I’m glad it worked out for me to pop in and give an update.


6 Comments

  • Reply Meghan |

    Hope-

    All things considered, $100 of non-budgeted spending for 6 people over the course of a week of travel is really not that bad. Take it as a lesson for future travel instead of beating yourself up! I think trying cuisine you cannot really find elsewhere is simply something you will want to plan for in the future, and feeding six people two meals out for $60 total is quite a feat!

    Thank you for taking the time to pop in and update us on your vacation, I hope your parents are enjoying being surrounded by all their grandchildren. Have you had “the talk” with your Dad yet? I hope it went well and you will give us an update as to how it will affect your financial plans. In the meantime, enjoy your vacation and please be sure to take some time to relax yourself!

    Cheers,

    Meghan

  • Reply adam |

    So many Texas connections on this blog! Claire was from San Antonio, Emily and I from Austin, and I think Ashley started in TX too.

    I wonder where exactly in the Hill Country are you – but I understand if you are reluctant to say. I can’t believe you came here during July/August to brave the heat! Come in February instead!

    • Reply Ashley |

      I’ve thought the same thing, Adam (btw – I’m from Austin, too). Sounds like Hope and I need to coordinate trips and we can all have a BAD blogger luncheon (even try to get Claire to join from SA)! The stars probably won’t align for that one, but its fun to think about!

        • Reply Adam |

          Austin is on fire. Anybody who wants a job here has one.

          Ashley, I have connections at a research firm in Austin called SEDL. They are hiring, maybe relevant to you: http://www.sedl.org/about/careers.cgi?vacancy=48

  • Reply Den |

    I think you’re doing great financially on this trip Hope! And I love your magnet collection….I collect Christmas tree ornaments when I travel….cheap and great memories:) And kids spending time with their cousins really is priceless – enjoy!

So, what do you think ?